LAHORE: The government on Friday removed 1,139 encroachments, sealed five industrial units and imposed fines of Rs300,000 for violating environmental regulations in an anti-smog operation across Punjab.

As part of the anti-smog operation, measures have been taken in Lahore to mitigate smog and improve the environment.

Lahore was again ranked the most polluted city of the world with very unhealthy air quality of 240 at 7pm two other south Asian cities Delhi stood at second position with air quality level 209 and Dhaka third with AQI 181.

The south Asian cities are being ranked most polluted in the world for the last five years and their AQI level is deteriorating on a daily basis. The governments in the South Asia are claiming to have taken special steps to counter smog but the effects of operations are yet to bring any fruit.

According to official reports of the Punjab government, 40 smoke-emitting vehicles were ticketed, seven were impounded, and fine amounting to Rs80,000 was imposed on others on Friday. Furthermore, three dumping sites were penalised with fines worth Rs12,000.

Water sprinkling and wet sweeping on roads are going on while heavy smoke-emitting traffic has been strictly banned from entering Lahore. Surveillance squads are actively monitoring compliance to ensure prompt action against the violators.

Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb emphasized that the government would not compromise on addressing pollution and illegal encroachments. She urged the citizens to help the government make Pakistan cleaner and greener by planting trees and adhering to regulations. She also called for full cooperation from the industrial sector and the public, saying that tackling pollution was impossible without collective efforts.

The minister directed the authorities concerned to further strengthen anti-smog operations to ensure a safe and pleasant environment for all citizens. This initiative aimed at not only improving the environmental conditions but also to provide people with healthier living standards. “A clean and green Pakistan is a shared responsibility and the public must work alongside the government to turn this vision into reality,” she said.

Published in Dawn, November 30th, 2024