Lahore: Punjab's Environment Department has intensified its province wide crackdown on industrial pollution and environmental violations, demolishing 11 industrial and brick kiln units and sealing 16 others during inspections conducted over the past 24 hours.
According to a report published by The News on Wednesday, October 14, the enforcement operations were carried out on the instructions of Environment Director General Abdullah Nayyar Sheikh as part of efforts to control pollution and reduce smog across Punjab.
During the latest operations, environmental protection teams inspected 233 industrial units and 434 brick kilns across the province to assess compliance with environmental regulations.
Authorities demolished 11 industrial and kiln units over violations of environmental laws, while another 16 were sealed. Cases were also registered against violators, and fines amounting to hundreds of thousands of rupees were imposed.
The crackdown also targeted the use and distribution of substandard plastic.
Environmental teams inspected 198 locations across Punjab and seized approximately 2519 kilogrammes of substandard plastic. Financial penalties were imposed on businesses found violating the relevant regulations.
In addition to industrial facilities and brick kilns, the department conducted inspections of commercial cooking establishments, including barbecue outlets, to identify sources of excessive smoke emissions.
A total of 145 commercial cooking locations were inspected, resulting in the sealing of nine establishments for violations.
The latest enforcement drive forms part of the provincial government's efforts to address air pollution, particularly as Punjab approaches the winter season, when smog becomes a major environmental and public health concern.
Industrial emissions, brick kiln smoke and commercial activities are among the pollution sources being targeted under the ongoing campaign.
The department's latest figures indicate that inspections and enforcement measures are being carried out across multiple sectors, with authorities focusing on industrial operations, plastic related violations and smoke producing commercial establishments.
The crackdown is aimed at improving compliance with environmental regulations and limiting pollution sources that contribute to deteriorating air quality across the province.
