Punjab records 4.2 times more crop fires than Indian Punjab

Pakistan’s Punjab has recorded more than four times as many crop-fire detections as India’s Punjab during the first 29 days of October, raising fresh concerns about agricultural burning and its contribution to worsening air pollution across the province.

According to a satellite-based analysis by environmental monitoring website HamariHawa, NASA satellites detected 13,241 fire hotspots in Pakistan’s Punjab between October 1 and 29. In comparison, Indian Punjab recorded 3,158 detections during the same period.

The findings show that crop-fire detections in Pakistan’s Punjab were 4.2 times higher than those across the border.

The analysis, based on data from NASA’s Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS), found that around 92 per cent of the detected fires in Pakistan’s Punjab were located on agricultural land and were likely linked to crop-residue burning.

The situation reportedly worsened towards the end of October. Around 6,655 fire hotspots, representing nearly half of the monthly total, were detected during the final seven days of the period.

October 29 recorded the highest daily number, with 1,327 fire hotspots detected across the province.

A separate comparison using data from the Suomi NPP satellite also showed a significant difference. It recorded 4,562 fire detections in Pakistan’s Punjab against 918 in Indian Punjab during the same period.

The latest figures indicate a major reversal from 2019, when Indian Punjab recorded nearly five times more fire detections than Pakistan’s Punjab. At that time, the respective figures stood at 14,002 and 2,908.

Historical data further showed that Indian Punjab reduced its satellite-detected crop fires by 95 per cent between 2021 and 2025. In contrast, Pakistan’s Punjab recorded a 33 per cent increase between 2019 and 2025.

In 2025, Pakistan’s Punjab reported 12,364 fire detections, compared with 3,714 in Indian Punjab.

The latest agricultural fire activity has been concentrated in Punjab’s rice-growing belt, particularly in districts surrounding Lahore.

Okara recorded the highest number of fire hotspots, with 2,144 detections between October 1 and 29. Gujranwala followed with 1,011, while Nankana Sahib recorded 1,003.

Together, the three districts accounted for 4,158 fire detections, exceeding the entire total recorded in Indian Punjab during the same period.

Other affected districts included Pakpattan with 922 hotspots, Sheikhupura with 756, Hafizabad with 713, Dera Ghazi Khan with 710, Kasur with 699, Khanewal with 682 and Jhang with 676.

The concentration of agricultural fires around Lahore has raised concerns that smoke from different parts of the province could be contributing to the city’s deteriorating air quality, depending on wind direction.

However, the analysis cautioned that satellite detections only identify fires visible when satellites pass over an area. They do not establish the total land burned or the amount of smoke released. Some fires may also remain undetected because of cloud cover, heavy smoke or the timing of satellite passes.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has intensified its campaign against pollution ahead of the winter smog season.

Official figures for September 28 to October 27 show that authorities inspected 11,580 brick kilns across the province. They demolished 197 non-compliant kilns, sealed 163 units, registered 162 cases and imposed fines worth Rs40.7 million.

The crackdown also targeted industrial pollution. Officials inspected 6,650 industrial units, demolished 22 and sealed 191. A further 333 smog notices were issued, 15 cases registered and fines amounting to Rs28 million imposed.

Authorities also conducted 6,064 inspections against plastic burning, sealed 152 locations and confiscated 45,100 kilogrammes of plastic.

In addition, 4,204 industrial facilities were inspected to monitor the installation of suction hoods. Of these, 1,863 had installed the required equipment, while 333 non-compliant sites were sealed.

To control construction-related dust, enforcement operations were carried out in 397 union councils, with mist sprinklers installed at 49 locations.

The provincial government has also deployed 67 Quick Response Units (QRUs) in agricultural areas to identify and prevent crop-residue burning.

These teams use satellite-based fire detection and field monitoring to reach reported hotspots, extinguish fires and take action against those responsible.

Drones, special night squads and additional field teams have also been deployed to identify pollution sources and enforce environmental regulations. Anti-smog guns are operating at selected locations across Lahore to control suspended dust particles.

Despite the ongoing enforcement campaign, Lahore continued to face severe air pollution.

According to Swiss air quality monitoring platform IQAir, Lahore recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 232 at 1pm on October 31, placing it at the top of the ranking of the world’s major polluted cities.

The reading fell within the ‘very unhealthy’ category, highlighting the severity of the city’s air quality crisis.

Punjab Environment Protection Agency Director General Abdullah Nayyar Sheikh said the department was following a zero-tolerance policy against pollution, with enforcement teams conducting operations during both daytime and nighttime.

He said action, including fines, criminal cases and sealing of premises, would continue against those violating environmental laws.