Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb has raised concerns about the severe impact of strong winds from India, which have brought elevated pollution levels to Lahore and other cities in Pakistan.
These winds are carrying pollutants from crop residue burning in India, pushing Lahore to the top of the air pollution index. Aurangzeb pointed out that NASA’s recent wind map shows that Lahore’s air quality is critically affected, while Indian cities like Delhi and Kolkata also rank high, with pollution scores of 450 and 201, respectively. She cautioned that changing wind patterns could further worsen Lahore’s air quality in the coming days.
To address the issue, the Punjab government is providing real-time updates through the Green App. A “war room” within the Department of Environmental Protection operates around the clock, monitoring air quality and coordinating clean-up efforts. Aurangzeb urged the public to follow safety guidelines, particularly for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing health conditions, recommending mask-wearing as a precaution.
