EPA demolishes 51 brick kilns in intensified pre-smog crackdown

LAHORE  –  The Punjab Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has intensified its pre-smog enforcement campaign, inspecting 2,710 brick kilns, demolishing 51 and sealing another 51, while registering 45 first information reports (FIRs) and imposing fines of Rs10.4 million for environmental violations across the province. The crackdown is part of the provincial government’s efforts to curb emissions before the onset of the smog season, with enforcement teams targeting brick kilns, industrial units, illegal plastic use and commercial cooking establishments, alongside measures to prevent crop-residue burning. EPA Director General Abdullah Nayyer Sheikh has been conducting surprise field visits to review enforcement operations and assess preparations for the critical pre-smog period. As part of the anti-stubble-burning campaign, the DG inspected Quick Response Units (QRUs) deployed along the Gujranwala-Sialkot Motorway. The department has established QRUs in 10 hotspot districts and deployed 67 fire-response drones to strengthen surveillance and facilitate an immediate response to incidents of crop-residue and scrub burning. Continuous patrolling along motorways and major highways is also under way to detect fires. The surveillance system combines drone monitoring, road patrols and field teams to identify fire incidents, locate affected areas and enable prompt intervention before agricultural smoke adds to the pollution burden. Industrial emissions have also come under the EPA’s enforcement drive. The department inspected 1,510 industrial units, sealed 41 and registered one FIR, besides imposing fines amounting to Rs4.1 million for environmental violations. The action against illegal plastic use and related violations included 1,546 inspections, the issuance of 235 notices and the confiscation of 7,823 kilogrammes of plastic. Authorities sealed 35 premises and imposed fines totalling Rs463,500. Commercial cooking establishments, particularly barbecue restaurants and other food outlets that generate smoke, were also monitored under the campaign. According to the consolidated figures, the EPA conducted 1,068 inspections or visits under its suction-hood monitoring programme. Suction hoods had been installed at 497 establishments, while 82 units were sealed.

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The department also issued four smog-related notices during an additional reported operation, facilitated the installation of suction hoods at 13 commercial cooking points and imposed fines of Rs471,000.

Measures to control fugitive dust from construction activities included monitoring 69 union councils and issuing 31 notices. Mist sprinklers were installed at seven locations, while no sealing action or fines were reported under this category.

The department also conducted five visits concerning water pollution. No premises were sealed, FIRs registered or fines imposed, and no water-recycling installations were reported in this category.

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Abdullah Nayyer Sheikh reiterated the department’s commitment to taking action against environmental violators without discrimination.

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