Lahore beats Delhi on pollution chart, Pakistan blames India's Diwali celebrations

Pakistan blamed Diwali firecracker pollution drifting from India for Lahore's worsening air quality. The claim revived a cross-border dispute as Lahore and Delhi ranked among the world's most polluted major cities.With pollution levels rising across the region, the movement of smoke and other pollutants across state and national boundaries remains a concern. (Credits: Reuters)New Delhi,Nov 10, 2026 21:19 ISTAs toxic smog blankets parts of South Asia, Pakistan has blamed pollution drifting from neighbouring India for worsening air quality in Lahore, pointing to firecrackers burst during Diwali celebrations over the weekend.The accusation comes as both Lahore and Delhi feature among the world's most polluted major cities, highlighting the shared air pollution crisis across the region.Lahore topped Swiss air quality monitoring group IQAir's ranking of the world's most polluted major cities for a second consecutive day on Tuesday, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 263, classified as "very unhealthy."The city's concentration of PM2.5, fine particulate matter that can penetrate deep into the lungs, was 37.2 times higher than the World Health Organisation's annual guideline, according to IQAir. Marriyum Aurangzeb, Environment Protection Minister in Pakistan's Punjab province, said pollutants had travelled into the region with light winds and air currents from India following Diwali celebrations.She said the air quality was expected to improve gradually from early afternoon as weather conditions changed and winds shifted direction. India's Ministry of External Affairs did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Pakistan's remarks.DELHI ALSO AMONG WORLD'S MOST POLLUTED CITIESWhile Lahore recorded an AQI of 263, Delhi ranked as the world's second-most polluted major city on Tuesday, with an AQI of 188, according to IQAir.Indian government data showed that firecrackers accounted for nearly 55% of the PM2.5 pollution recorded in the national capital a day earlier.However, firecracker emissions are not the only source of pollution affecting the region. Vehicle emissions, construction dust and smoke from crop-waste burning also contribute significantly to deteriorating air quality during the winter months in both India and Pakistan.INDIA-PAKISTAN BLAME GAME OVER AIR POLLUTIONThe latest remarks have revived an earlier dispute between the two countries over the movement of pollutants across their shared border.In 2024, Pakistan had similarly blamed crop-waste burning in India's Punjab for its toxic air. However, officials from India's weather department had disputed the claim, saying wind direction at the time indicated that air was moving from Pakistan towards India.The issue has also become a political talking point within India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has blamed crop-residue burning in Punjab for contributing to Delhi's poor air quality this month. The state is governed by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).Local media reports indicated a sevenfold increase in farm fires in Punjab on Sunday, when Diwali was celebrated. However, the Punjab government has maintained that incidents of crop-waste burning have declined compared with previous years.With pollution levels rising across the region, the movement of smoke and other pollutants across state and national boundaries remains a concern.- Ends