LAHORE: More than 64 illegal pollution-emitting units have been targeted in Lahore during the past 15 days as the Punjab government intensifies its crackdown on smog-causing activities.
Senior Provincial Minister for Environment Maryam Aurangzeb said that authorities have shut down 374 illegal units over the last two years for emitting smoke, generating foul odours and causing environmental degradation, reaffirming the government’s zero-tolerance policy against environmental violations.
The Punjab government has accelerated enforcement operations against illegal industrial units operating in major cities, industrial zones and residential areas, with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) directed to carry out grand operations down to the union council level to identify and eliminate sources of air pollution.
The Minister said all activities contributing to smog have been banned and warned that violators would face strict legal action, including demolition of illegal units and registration of criminal cases. “The Chief Minister has issued clear instructions that no illegal plant or pollution-causing unit will be spared,” she said, adding that smog elimination remains one of the government’s top priorities.
A special crackdown is currently underway in Lahore against illegal fat-melting units and facilities involved in burning animal waste and by-products. In a recent operation at the city’s cattle market area, environmental authorities sealed several units engaged in melting animal fat and openly burning waste in violation of environmental laws.
According to the Environment Department, the facilities were responsible for severe air pollution and foul odours in surrounding localities. Acting on complaints from residents, EPA teams raided the sites, sealed the units and confiscated machinery being used in the unlawful operations.
Aurangzeb urged owners of illegal units to voluntarily cease operations, warning that authorities would otherwise demolish the facilities. Local residents welcomed the government’s environmental enforcement campaign, expressing hope that continued action would improve air quality, reduce health risks and create a cleaner environment across the province.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026