Farms on Fire

The intense heatwave currently gripping large parts of the country is not only endangering human lives—it is also wreaking havoc on agriculture. Iconic crops such as the beloved Pakistani mango are suffering due to the premature onset of extreme heat, which is disrupting natural growth and cultivation cycles. The result: smaller, underdeveloped fruit and a range of other defects.

Similar challenges are being reported across a wide range of crops, pointing to a broader agricultural crisis. Now, a new and alarming threat is emerging. The scorching temperatures and dry atmosphere are creating tinderbox conditions in farmlands, where a single spark can ignite devastating fires.



In Narowal, nearly 85 acres of wheat fields were burned to the ground. Similar incidents have been reported in Kasur and Gujranwala, resulting in losses worth millions for farmers. These fires are often triggered by faulty machinery, high-voltage transmission lines, and gross negligence—but the worsening climate is clearly acting as a powerful accelerant.

India can’t terminate Indus Waters Treaty unilaterally: Governor Wheat farmers in Punjab are already on the edge—many are threatening to reduce wheat sowing next season due to an inadequate incentive package from the government, a recurring issue in every harvest cycle under the current administration. Now, with fires ravaging their fields, the very core of Punjab’s wheat production—and with it, Pakistan’s food security—is at risk. Agriculture remains the country’s largest employment sector and a critical pillar of national revenue.

In this context, meaningful government intervention is not just justified—it is essential. Compensating farmers who have lost their crops to fire is a necessary first step. But beyond compensation, the state must take proactive measures: ensuring the proper maintenance of high-voltage power lines that run through farmlands, promoting sustainable irrigation methods, and developing rapid-response protocols to prevent the spread of fires.

Two outlaws killed in police encounter Tags: farms fire.