TAXILA: The district administration of Attock along with the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) launched a crackdown against brick-baking units working in violation of the zigzag technology rule for prevention of smog and demolished 29 units across the district.

A team on Monday demolished six brick kilns in Pindigheb and three others in Hassanabdal tehsils.

Assistant Director Environment Shah Zira Maryam led the operation in Pindigheb along with Hakla-DI Khan Motorway while Assistant Commissioner Arif Qureshi in Hassanabdal demolished brick kilns in another operation along Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway (M-1).

Zira Maryam said the Punjab Environment Department had intensified its efforts against brick kilns that failed to adopt zigzag technology and contributed to pollution. 

She said toxic fumes and chemicals from these pyrolysis plants and brick kilns had polluted the air.

Deputy Commissioner Attock Rao Atif Raza said the crackdown had been initiated targeting industrial units, brick kilns, smoke-emitting vehicles, and other pollution sources that contributed to smog and environmental degradation. He added that the Environment Department was conducting these operations across the district with the assistance of police and heavy machinery.

Mr Raza said that kilns were demolished in compliance with the orders of the Lahore High Court. According to the LHC’s order, if a kiln is found emitting black smoke or is found to be working on any technology other than the environment-friendly zigzag technology, it should be demolished without any notice. He said that these kilns were unable to comply with the orders.

Prior to demolition, these kilns were also fined and repeatedly warned to shift their kilns to eco-friendly zigzag technology only.

Published in Dawn, November 5th, 2024