LAHORE: The Punjab government has launched a province-wide operation against illegal industrial units operating in residential areas, Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said on Wednesday.

As part of the campaign, she said, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) carried out a major enforcement action in Chiniot, demolishing an illegally-established leather processing factory and a warehouse used for storing and processing animal hides in a residential locality.

The facility was involved in leather manufacturing activities that were causing severe environmental pollution, foul odour and health hazards for nearby residents, she said. She claimed that action was taken following repeated complaints from local residents regarding the unhygienic conditions and the adverse impact on public health.

“Residents have welcomed the operation and expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, saying that children, women and elderly people in the area had been suffering from discomfort and health problems for a prolonged period due to the factory’s operations,” Ms Aurangzeb said.

She said industrial activities were not permitted in residential areas and warned that strict action would continue against polluting industries, including leather processing units, slaughterhouses, tanneries, illegal plastic use, waste burning and the burning of crop residues.

She urged citizens to comply with government directives and said the provincial government would continue indiscriminate action against individuals and businesses responsible for environmental pollution.

Ms Aurangzeb also claimed that measures taken by the Punjab government over the past two years had contributed to a significant improvement in the province’s Air Quality Index (AQI).

Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2026