26 arrested over smog SOPs breach

LAHORE : Punjab IG Dr Usman Anwar said in the last 24 hours, during a crackdown on smog SOPs violators, 49 cases were registered across Lahore and the rest of Punjab, leading to the arrest of 26 individuals.

Furthermore, fines worth Rs1.5 million were imposed on 630 people, and 143 individuals were issued warnings.

A Punjab police spokesperson shared violations that were reported during this period. These included 26 cases of burning crop residues, 530 cases of vehicles emitting excessive smoke, 1 industrial violation, 19 cases related to brick kiln operations, and four other violations.

Since the beginning of this year’s anti-smog campaign, a total of 2,778 individuals have been arrested, 3,358 cases have been registered, and fines amounting to over Rs90 million have been imposed on 35,659 people. Additionally, 6,452 individuals have received warnings for violating anti-smog regulations. In the past 24 hours the police fined 6,259 vehicles for emitting excessive smoke, impounded 391 vehicles, and suspended fitness certificates of 8 vehicles.

Since the start of the crackdown, a total of 806,233 vehicles emitting excess smoke have been fined, 165,714 vehicles have been impounded, and fitness certificates of 10,043 vehicles have been suspended.

Meanwhile, Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb Tuesday stated that strict actions were taken against multiple polluting brick-kilns and industrial units over the past four days.

The minister stated that between November 15 and 17, some 34 brick-kilns operating without zigzag technology were demolished.

Additionally, on November 15, some 20 industrial units in Lahore and Gujranwala were razed over causing pollution. On November 16 and 17, 16 more industrial units were demolished, and 51 units were sealed, including 30 units in Lahore, where 5 units were demolished, and fines worth Rs 400,000 were imposed. Vehicle inspections are underway at entry points and major highways, while actions are being taken against unsafe transportation of construction materials.