Punjab orders anti-pollution crackdown at union council level

LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to step up action against activities linked to smog and pollution, ordering large-scale operations in industrial and residential areas.

The Environment Protection Agency has been directed to carry out an operation down to the union council level against units working in violation of environmental rules. Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said the government had adopted a zero-tolerance policy against those putting public health at risk through activities contributing to smog and environmental damage.

She said all activities identified as causes of smog would remain strictly banned and warned that anyone violating government orders would face legal proceedings. The minister instructed authorities to immediately demolish illegal units and register cases against their owners.

Aurangzeb also asked the public to support environmental protection steps and urged operators of unlawful units to shut down voluntarily. "Otherwise, their units will be demolished," she warned.

She added that no illegal plant or pollution-causing facility would be given any exemption, and said eliminating smog was among the top priorities of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.