Web Desk

&nbsp;ISLAMABAD: The air quality of the National Capital Region (NCR) of India, Delhi, plummeted on the occasion of Diwali on Tuesday. The use of firecrackers with little check usually results in a spike in air pollution every year during Diwali celebrations.&nbsp;This year has been no different. According to the Swiss global air quality monitoring company, IQAir, Delhi&rsquo;s air quality index (AQI) touched 772 after the Diwali celebrations, the highest of any city in the world.&nbsp; AQI values above 300 are considered a public health emergency, when everyone is at risk of experiencing serious health effects, and should avoid all physical activity outdoors. The spike in air pollution also has an impact on other cities in the region, including Lahore in Pakistan, which IQAir listed as the world&#39;s second most polluted city.&nbsp; Sajid Bashir, spokesperson for the Punjab Environment Protection Agency (EPA) in Pakistan, while speaking to Pakistan TV Digital on Tuesday, said, &ldquo;Winds blowing from New Delhi and other parts of India at a speed of up to 7 kilometers per hour are moving toward Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Multan, Bahawalpur, and Rahim Yar Khan.&quot;<div class="fr-embed youtube-embed"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8fZyiTo6qi8" title="Punjab government deploys anti-smog guns across Lahore to combat pollution" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="" style="width: 100%; height: auto; aspect-ratio: 16 / 9; max-width: 100%; display: block;"></iframe>&nbsp;</div>&quot;Similarly, the southern districts of Multan, Bahawalpur, and Bahawalnagar will also be affected due to pollutants crossing the border in the wake of Diwali festivities that feature fireworks,&rdquo; he added. <figure><img src="https://paktv-assets-7d41fab8.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/uploads/d315d3ef-453d-42e0-a459-f1d613845701-AQI--.jpg" alt="AQI--.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dii"><figcaption>Photo: IQAir&#39;s website</figcaption></figure>Diwali, which literally means &ldquo;row of lights,&rdquo; is a Hindu celebration of the triumph of light over darkness.&nbsp; Traditionally, it has been marked by the lighting of earthen lamps and candles.&nbsp; The use of firecrackers has, over the years, become a predominant part of celebrations, raising concerns about contributing to pollution and worsening air quality, according to an Indian media report. The territory that covers the Indian capital, New Delhi, consistently remains among the most polluted cities in the world, especially during the winter season. The smog and air pollution also usually have an impact on cities and towns in neighboring Pakistan. &nbsp; &lsquo;Very poor&rsquo; air qualityThe Diwali celebrations have apparently adversely impacted the air quality in multiple cities, among other likely factors.&nbsp; According to the Indian Central Pollution Control Board&rsquo;s post shared on the social media platform X on Monday, at least 36 cities of India were categorized under &ldquo;poor&rdquo; to &ldquo;very poor&rdquo; air quality. &nbsp;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-4" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 921px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-4&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1980238542065566131&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fdashboard%2F&sessionId=76442ff8a65ece78e2641ab07323ba54ea4f092d&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>&nbsp;Noise and air pollution&nbsp;Another recent Indian media report highlighted the toll it takes on pets and the trauma they face because of the constant loud noise of the crackers.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-5" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 920px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-5&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1980209285629157625&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fdashboard%2F&sessionId=76442ff8a65ece78e2641ab07323ba54ea4f092d&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>The use of firecrackers, which are a cause of noise and air pollution, became part of urban celebrations only after the independence of India and became an integral part of Diwali by the 1980s, according to Indian media. A ban on firecrackers in the Delhi-NCR area was first imposed in 2014-15 by the Indian Supreme Court. However, &ldquo;enforcement challenges and lack of public compliance have always prevailed,&rdquo; the Indian media admits. -- With additional input from our correspondent in Lahore.

India

Diwali has been traditionally celebrated by lighting lamps and candles; the use of firecrackers contributes to air pollution every year; Indian media reports cites enforcement challenges and lack of public compliance with regulations as a contributing factor. 

Indian capital Delhi’s air quality nosedives post Diwali celebrations

Faraz Saeed

LAHORE: Step through a 400-year-old Mughal gateway, and you enter a world where history and flavor intertwine. Lahore&rsquo;s Fort Road Food Street, nestled between the iconic Badshahi Mosque and Lahore Fort, is more than just a culinary destination &mdash; it&rsquo;s a vibrant celebration of the city&rsquo;s rich heritage and bold tastes. Situated in the heart of the Walled City, once the seat of the Mughal Empire, the street comes alive every evening. The air fills with the scent of sizzling seekh kebabs, fiery chargha, and sweet jalebis. Lanterns flicker overhead as rooftop restaurants buzz with the clatter of plates and laughter. &ldquo;This isn&rsquo;t just food, it&rsquo;s history,&rdquo; says a local chef who has been grilling at the same stall since the street&rsquo;s revival in 2012. His menu reads like a love letter to Lahori cuisine, featuring reshmi kebabs, malai boti, takka tak, mutton chaamp, and more. Foreign visitors come for the food but stay for the atmosphere, drawn to the street&rsquo;s timeless charm. Fort Road Food Street has become a cultural landmark. Diplomats, travel vloggers, and expatriates frequent its rooftops, eager to sample authentic Pakistani fare with a stunning view. Professor Muhammad Suzuri from Malaysia described the experience as &ldquo;a paradise of food beyond comprehension,&rdquo; captivated by the blend of Mughal architecture and culinary artistry. Returning Pakistani expatriates are often moved by the familiarity. One Australian visitor called it &ldquo;stepping back in time,&rdquo; praising the iconic Haveli restaurant for preserving the flavors and ambiance of a bygone era. Behind the food lies a thriving economy. The street provides hundreds of jobs, from chefs and servers to waiters balancing trays on rooftops in the evening breeze. Local businesses prosper, tourism flourishes, and Lahore&rsquo;s famed hospitality takes center stage. Haveli, the street&rsquo;s crown jewel, can host up to 800 guests and serves both traditional and continental dishes. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve hosted diplomats from the US, China, and Korea,&rdquo; says manager Hamza. &ldquo;They all agree: this is where you taste Pakistan.&rdquo; As dusk falls and the call to prayer echoes from the mosque, Fort Road Food Street offers more than a meal. It offers a memory &mdash; a place where the past is savored, and the soul of Lahore is served on every plate.

In eastern Pakistan, centuries-old Mughal charm blends with bold local flavors, drawing tourists, diplomats, and food lovers to a rooftop-dining haven beside the iconic Badshahi Mosque.

Articles tagged with "Lahore"

Indian capital Delhi’s air quality nosedives post Diwali celebrations

Lahore's food street: A celebration of history and flavor

Indian capital Delhi’s air quality nosedives post Diwali celebrations