Staff Reporter
Lahore:On the instructions of Inspector General of Police Punjab, Dr. Usman Anwar, Punjab Police is actively working to prevent smog and ensure environmental protection. Due to the timely and consistent efforts of Punjab Police, smog levels have reduced, according to IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar. He stated that during the last 24 hours, a crackdown across Lahore and the province resulted in the registration of 51 cases and the arrest of 33 individuals. Fines amounting to over 8.88 million rupees were imposed on 533 violators, while 29 individuals were issued warnings. The Punjab Police spokesperson said that 20 violations related to the burning of crop residues, 437 related to vehicles emitting excessive smoke, 4 related to industrial activities, 7 violations by brick kilns, and 1 violation at other locations were recorded. Over the course of this year’s anti-smog crackdown, a total of 2,900 suspects have been arrested, and 3,510 cases have been registered. Overall, fines totaling over 93.1 million rupees have been imposed on 36,812 individuals, while warnings have been issued to 6,619 violators. Violations included 1,911 incidents of crop residue burning, 29,517 cases of vehicles emitting excessive smoke, 342 related to industrial activities, 1,336 by brick kilns, and 319 at other locations. The spokesperson further said that during the last 24 hours, challans were issued to 5,930 vehicles emitting excessive smoke, 670 were impounded in police stations, and the fitness certificates of one vehicle were suspended. For the current year, challans have been issued to 818,318 vehicles for emitting excessive smoke, 166,771 vehicles have been impounded, and 10,050 vehicles had their fitness certificates suspended. IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar directed an acceleration of the anti-smog crackdown on highways, industrial areas, agricultural zones, and other locations. He emphasized that strict action under a zero-tolerance policy must be taken against those violating smog SOPs without delay.
