LAHORE: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Punjab has ramped up its efforts to combat smog by conducting extensive inspections across the province.
Over the past five months, the EPA has inspected more than 43,600 industrial units and brick kilns. As a result, 315 units were demolished, 1,444 units were sealed, and 1,425 FIRs (First Information Reports) were registered.
According to EPA sources, this year’s crackdown began unusually early on April 1, whereas actions were previously initiated only during the smog season starting in October.
Over the last 150 days, the EPA’s special squads have sealed numerous units and imposed fines exceeding Rs140 million, with Rs2.7 million already recovered.
According to The News, data reveals that 92 industrial units and 223 brick kilns have been demolished across Punjab, with an additional 170 brick kilns being water-flooded to curb pollution.
In Lahore, the EPA inspected 1,857 industrial units and brick kilns, sealing 110 and demolishing 54 units, while registering 54 FIRs and imposing fines amounting to Rs1.5 million.
Similarly, in Faisalabad, 1,492 inspections led to 183 sealings, 680 notices, 105 FIRs, and Rs2.3 million in fines. Other districts like Sheikhupura, Kasur, Chiniot, Mianwali, Narowal, Khushab, Sialkot, and Rawalpindi also saw significant inspections and actions.
An EPA spokesperson mentioned that the agency’s Director General, Imran Hamid Sheikh, prioritised this early crackdown. From the day he assumed charge, he formed special squads to tackle pollution, issuing repeated notices to violators to encourage compliance.
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