Lahore PM2.5 at eight times WHO limit as PAQI counts 16,714 crop fires

Lahore's average PM2.5 concentration reached eight times the World Health Organisation's recommended guideline, according to a report by the Pakistan Air Quality Initiative (PAQI) released on Tuesday. The average was 126 micrograms per cubic metre, and Lahore exceeded the national 24-hour air quality standard on all 40 days with valid readings.

The report also counted thousands of suspected crop-burning fires across Punjab. Satellite data detected 16,714 likely crop-residue fires between 1 October and 9 November. Separately, satellite instruments picked up 18,825 fires in the province, about 89 per cent of them linked to crop residues. The highest single-day count was on 1 November, with 1,102 fires.

Five districts accounted for 54 per cent of all detections: Sheikhupura with 2,559, Jhang with 2,192, Okara with 2,062, Hafizabad with 1,893 and Gujranwala with 1,417.

PAQI found that Lahore averaged 175 micrograms per cubic metre on days when air passed over fire-affected areas, against 93 micrograms on other days. Lahore's average was 11 per cent lower than in the same period last year, and similar trends were seen in Multan and Bahawalpur. Researchers said stagnant weather and limited air movement also trapped pollutants.

The report questioned the view that Diwali fireworks across the border were the main cause. Lahore recorded a 10 per cent rise in PM2.5 after Diwali, while Faisalabad and Multan each saw a 40 per cent rise, more than several cities nearer the border. PAQI said chemical testing of particulate matter would be needed to separate firework emissions from agricultural smoke.

The Punjab Environment Protection and Climate Change Department reported a considerable improvement after emergency operations. Lahore's AQI fell from 489 at 9am to 232 at 3pm on Monday, about 53 per cent, and all 11 monitoring stations showed falling pollution. Anti-smog guns and mist sprinkling covered about 640 kilometres of roads, and inspections of factories and brick kilns were stepped up.

EPA Director General Abdullah Nayyar Sheikh said: "Quick Response Units were monitoring satellite-detected fire incidents and taking action against those responsible for agricultural burning."

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority forecast rain over two days in Lahore, Kasur, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura and other districts. It is expected to reduce smog but bring colder weather. Strong winds and isolated hailstorms were forecast in parts of southern Punjab, and citizens were advised to avoid unnecessary travel during storms.