Under the directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Department of Environmental Protection has been actively combating smog and air pollution for the past 10 months. Strict actions are being taken against violators of environmental laws as part of this campaign.
The department has inspected 11,000 brick kilns across Punjab, issuing 11,153 notices, demolishing 1,191 kilns, sealing 1,335, and registering 1,832 cases. Furthermore, 484 factories were sealed for violating environmental laws, 174 cases were filed, and fines amounting to PKR 46 million were imposed. Efforts to curb fugitive dust included inspections of 4,588 sites, with 688 notices issued and 46 sites sealed.
In addition, 77,166 vehicles emitting excessive smoke were fined, resulting in PKR 14 million in penalties. Waste burning led to 10,465 fines, 1,040 cases, and PKR 23 million in penalties. Authorities also confiscated 1,541 kilograms of plastic bags under 75 microns to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb stated that the fight for environmental protection would continue, with no leniency shown in the campaign against smog and air pollution. She emphasized that providing a clean and healthy environment remains the government's top priority and stressed that eliminating air pollution is a collective responsibility.
The Punjab government is implementing a comprehensive strategy to address environmental pollution, and the positive outcomes of these measures are already becoming evident.