Pakistan blames India for rising air pollution in country as Lahore's AQI hit 1900

Pakistan’s Lahore city recorded unprecedented levels of air pollution on Saturday (Nov 2), with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 1,900. This is the highest-ever pollution recorded near the India-Pakistan border.

The data was released by both the provincial government and the Swiss group IQAir. Lahore, which is Pakistan’s second-largest city, topped IQAir’s real-time list of the world’s most polluted cities on Sunday (Nov 3). 

According to Swiss air quality rating agency IQAir, the AQI in Lahore surged to 1,067 around 9:30 am, which hit 1,900 later in the day.

The Lahore administration took several measures in response to pollution crises. Primary schools in several cities, including Lahore have been closed for a week and parents are advised to ask their kids to wear masks.

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Senior Minister of Punjab Marriyum Aurangzeb said half of all office employees would be forced to work from home in a bid to reduce vehicle pollution.

Hospitals across Lahore have also been equipped with special smog counters and asked to be prepared for any further emergencies. 

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The government also imposed a ban on three-wheelers, and rickshaws putting a temporary halt on construction activities. Factories and construction sites that do not comply with these new regulations risk being shut down. However, this was not enough for the Pakistan administration it seems; hence they started putting blame on India for rising pollution.

Pakistan blames India for rising pollution in the country

In a strange move, Senior Minister of Punjab Aurangzeb blamed the winds-carrying pollutants from neighbouring India, leading to an “unexpected” air pollution situation in Pakistan.

She said, "This cannot be solved without talks with India," adding that the provincial government plans to initiate talks through Pakistan's foreign ministry.

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Lahore's air pollution crisis is similar to that of India's capital city Delhi, which worsens during cooler months due to temperature inversion trapping pollution near the ground.

Aurangzeb specifically blamed polluted wind from the Indian cities of Amritsar and Chandigarh for worsening Lahore’s air quality. 

Stressing the need for dialogue with India, she said, "We cannot stop or redirect the Indian air; the only solution is dialogue.”

(With inputs from agencies)