Pakistan's Punjab widens crackdown on stubble burning as smog returns, reports say

Authorities in Pakistan's Punjab province are widening a crackdown on illegal rice-stubble burning as smog again covers large parts of South Asia, according to Daily Sabah and Reuters. Vocemundi reviewed only a short summary of the Reuters report, and the two accounts may share one origin. Vocemundi has not independently confirmed the details below.

The crackdown

Punjab's government formed a 750-member force this year, according to Silwat Saeed, chief of Punjab's Environment Protection and Climate Change Department, as cited by Daily Sabah. The force is organized into 67 rapid-response units across major rice-growing districts. Pakistani officials describe it as the country's first unit dedicated only to fighting air pollution.

Teams aim to reach reported field fires within 10 to 15 minutes, according to Ashfaq Hussain, a deputy director of the force. Daily Sabah quoted him as saying: "We receive complaints through multiple channels and respond to them in the shortest possible time." On Thursday, officers brought a burning paddy field near Lahore under control within minutes, Daily Sabah reported.

In one 24-hour period this week, the department received 679 reports of field fires and said it put out 650, according to Daily Sabah. Punjab officials provided these figures. The reports do not include independent verification.

Farmers caught burning stubble face fines of 15,000 Pakistani rupees ($54) per acre. Those who do not pay can face prosecution and up to six months in prison, according to Muhammad Farooq of the Punjab Agriculture Department, as cited by Daily Sabah. The reports do not say how many fines or arrests have followed. The government has also distributed more than 10,000 super seeders and pays 60% of their cost, according to Daily Sabah.

Air quality and health

Swiss monitoring group IQAir rated the haze over Lahore "very unhealthy" earlier this week, according to Daily Sabah. Daily Sabah also reported that patients have crowded hospital benches and corridors in Lahore. Farmers commonly burn rice stalks after the October harvest. The smoke mixes with industrial, vehicle and construction pollution and becomes trapped under cold winter air, the outlet reported.

Abdullah Nayyar, director general of the Punjab Environment Protection Department, said that smog-related throat hospitalizations last month were 69% of the level in October 2025, according to Daily Sabah. Satellites also detected less burned area in India and Pakistan than the historical average, the outlet reported, without naming the data source.

What is disputed

Pakistan and India have each accused the other in recent years of contributing to worsening air pollution, according to Daily Sabah. India's Foreign Ministry did not respond to a request for comment, the outlet reported.

What each side says

Punjab authorities say the crackdown is beginning to produce results. Many residents say they struggle to notice improvements, according to Daily Sabah. Farmer Muhammad Ismail said switching from stubble burning to a subsidized super seeder and other machinery had significantly increased his wheat yield per acre, according to Daily Sabah. Farmer Saleem Abbas said many farmers still see burning as the cheapest and fastest option. Daily Sabah quoted patient Mohammad Niaz Butt as saying: "They are burning it, and nothing is done about it."

Analysis

The reports describe an enforcement-heavy approach backed by subsidies. However, they do not show whether the crackdown caused the lower hospitalization figure or the smaller burned area. Weather, other emission sources or reporting changes could also play a role. Most of the figures come from Punjab officials and lack independent checks. If more farmers find machinery affordable and useful, burning may decline over time. If they still see fines as cheaper than alternatives, enforcement could strain. Because smog crosses borders, results may also depend on cooperation between Pakistan and India. The reports do not include India's position.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.