Pollution Crackdown Gains Traction in Lahore 

APP

Lahore: In a sweeping crackdown on smog-related offenses, Punjab police registered 58 cases and arrested 23 individuals over the past 24 hours as part of an ongoing anti-pollution operation.

The operation, conducted under the direction of Inspector General of Police Punjab Dr Usman Anwar, is aimed at tackling environmental violations contributing to the province’s worsening air quality.

According to the Punjab Police spokesperson, additional enforcement measures have resulted in fines totaling Rs 754,000 for 387 offenders, with 26 others receiving formal warnings.

Violations within the last 24 hours included 22 cases of crop residue burning, 307 instances of excessive smoke emissions from vehicles, four industrial violations, nine infringements by brick kilns, and 15 other environmental offenses.

The spokesperson reported that as part of this year’s anti-smog campaign, Punjab Police have so far arrested a total of 1,912 individuals and registered 1,739 cases.

Fines amounting to over Rs. 32.8 million have been imposed on 19,558 violators for smog-related offenses, while 817 warnings were issued.

Key infractions include 1,427 instances of crop burning, 16,409 cases involving smoke-emitting vehicles, 313 industrial violations, 607 brick kiln-related offenses, and 195 other environmental violations.

In the past 24 hours alone, police issued challans to 5,240 vehicles emitting excessive smoke, impounding 520 of them.

Since the launch of the crackdown, 725,298 vehicles have been challaned for smoke emissions, 156,460 vehicles have been impounded, and 10,014 fitness certificates have been suspended.

IG Punjab Dr Usman Anwar has directed an intensified crackdown across highways, industrial zones, agricultural areas, and other critical regions, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy toward violators.

He also instructed close collaboration with the Environmental Protection Department to enhance the impact of the operation.

Punjab Police remain committed to enforcing strict measures to curb pollution and improve air quality across the province.