By Muhammad Saleem
LAHORE– The owners of smoke-emitting vehicles face heavy fines and possible seizures, as the Lahore administration prepares to launch a crackdown to curb the smog threat, reports Wealth Pakistan.
The crackdown is scheduled to begin on October 15, and the relevant officials have been notified.
Smog Disruptions Affect Daily Life in Lahore
For the past few years, thick smog has blanketed Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab, disrupting daily life and cutting business hours short.
Each year from October to January, air quality in Lahore falls to dangerous levels. Unfit vehicles are a major source of pollution, emitting black smoke and fine particles. These particles not only damage the city’s environment but also cause respiratory and eye infections, as well as long-term lung disease.
EPA Conducts Vehicle Emission Tests
Speaking to Wealth Pakistan, Ali Ijaz, District Officer of the Environment Protection and Climate Change Department, said the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) is conducting emission tests on private vehicles and has already checked more than 300,000.
The EPA is also testing fuel quality to ensure it meets standards and helps cut emissions.
He said Commissioner Maryam Khan has directed the transport department to take action against vehicles operating without fitness certificates.
Industrial Pollution Monitoring and CCTV Surveillance
Another EPA officer told Wealth Pakistan the agency is sparing no effort in tackling environmental pollution and has completed e-mapping of all kilns and industries in the Lahore Division.
He added that all stakeholders have been taken into confidence to deal with the challenges of smog.
From October 1, the administration will connect every industrial chimney to the Environment Department via CCTV, with any violation resulting in an immediate shutdown.
Officials Prepare Anti-Smog Measures
Abid Saleemi, spokesperson for Commissioner Maryam Khan, said all officials have been instructed to launch the crackdown on October 15 and seize all loader vehicles operating without fitness certificates.
He said the Environment Department and district administrations have also been directed to keep anti-smog squads active in the field around the clock.
Trolleys carrying sand and soil without proper covering will also be barred from entering the city — a policy to be enforced year-round, he added.
Saleemi said the commissioner has made it clear that if any brick kiln is found emitting black smoke, the assistant commissioner concerned will be held accountable.