LAHORE: The Punjab government on Monday imposed section 144 to control smog by taking action against those causing air pollution.

Authorities have been directed to check burning of stubble, garbage and industrial waste beside controlling vehicular emissions beyond limit.

Punjab Chief Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal issued the directions in a meeting held at the Civil Secretariat.

The meeting was briefed that the Home Department had imposed section 144 in the province, banning burning of crop residue, municipal solid waste, tyres, plastic, rubber and leather items etc for one month from Oct 6. The participants were told that only new Zig Zag technology brick kilns would be allowed to operate and strict action would be taken against the violators.

The additional chief secretary (Home), administrative secretaries of different departments including industries, environment and agriculture and director-general of provincial disaster management authority attended the meeting.

Published in Dawn, October 12th, 2021