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       LAHORE: The Punjab Environment Department has directed installation of air purifiers at all shopping malls and commercial plazas in the province, in a bid to control the deteriorating air quality indoors.

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       A notification to the effect was issued by the department’s Director General Imran Hamid Sheikh, aimed at countering hazardous smog levels impacting various cities of Punjab, especially Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, and Gujranwala.

       The step will help provide cleaner air to customers visiting indoor public spaces.

       All district authorities have been directed to ensure compliance with the notification, particularly in high-traffic commercial areas, to mitigate the effects of smog and improve indoor air quality amid escalating pollution levels.

       Also, in collaboration with the district administration and police, the department has launched a major operation against smoke-emitting vehicles in Lahore.

       25 arrested for smog SOPs violation

       Raids are being conducted at bus terminals along Bund Road, where vehicles emitting excessive smoke were issued tickets, and 24 of them were impounded for breaching regulations.

       The officials inspected emissions from passenger buses and took action against those violating environmental standards.

       Environmental Protection Secretary Raja Jahangir Anwar has said the crackdown against the violators will continue, and strict measures will be taken against those failing to comply with the environmental regulations.

       SOPS

       The Punjab police intensified crackdown on violators of smog-related offences, registering 104 FIRs across the province and arresting 25 suspects during the last 24 hours.

       A police spokesperson says on Sunday that Rs792,000 total fine was imposed on 424 violators, while 36 others were issued final warnings during the period.

       He says action was taken against 29 violators for burning crop residue, 325 for driving excessive smoke-emitting vehicles, two for indulging in prohibited industrial activities and 18 for causing pollution at brick kilns etc.

       The spokesperson says a total of 2,095 individuals have been arrested and 2,483 cases registered during this year’s anti-smog crackdown.

       Overall, fine of Rs 49.9 million has been imposed on 21,466 individuals and 1,346 others have been issued warnings.

       The violations included 1,481 complaints of burning crop residue, 18,476 of excessive smoke-emitting vehicles, 312 of industrial activity violations, 890 involving brick kilns, and 346 violations at other locations.

       He adds 5,961 smoke-emitting vehicles were issued challans, 741 were impounded, and fitness certificates of three vehicles were suspended during the last 24 hours across Punjab.

       This year, he says, challans have been issued to total 736,351 smoke-emitting vehicles on the roads, while 157,599 others were impounded, and fitness certificates of 10,019 vehicles were suspended during the year.

       He says IG Dr. Usman Anwar has ordered an expedited anti-smog crackdown on roads, industrial areas, agricultural farms and other locations.

       Published in Dawn, November 11th, 2024