LAHORE: The Punjab Pollution Enforcement Committee on Friday approved a roadmap to combat environmental pollution across the province by enforcement of sustainable waste management.

The meeting, chaired by Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, reviewed pollution sources, corrective measures, regulatory reforms and inter-agency coordination. Officials presented the plan for pollution-causing sectors assessment, emission load inventory and comprehensive waste management.

Participants were informed that mapping of waste-generating units had been completed, including 125 slaughterhouses and 1,500 poultry farms. The committee directed intensified enforcement, with strict implementation of standard operating procedures for slaughterhouse waste and a continued ban on fat-melting activities in residential areas.

Expressing concern at improper disposal of hospital waste, Ms Aurangzeb ordered legal action against the hospitals lacking incinerators.

The committee reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy, noting that 4,500 polluting units had been demolished in the past two years, including 550 those dismantled last week.

The meeting also reviewed action against hospital waste units, tanneries, marble processors, wood-cutting facilities and livestock operations.

Officials reported that 15m fake and non-biodegradable cigarette filters had been disposed of responsibly, while more than 550,000 plastic bags had been removed from drains and waterways.

The committee approved registration of scrap dealers, documentation of the waste value chain and proposals for recycling under a “Waste-to-Wealth” model.

The Green Punjab Certification Programme is being launched at the Union Council level, alongside a climate watch and field enforcement system.

Ms Aurangzeb directed the departments to identify pollution sources within their sectors and submit strategies to support circular economy plans through public-private partnerships. She emphasized joint enforcement operations involving Local Government, WASA, Industry, Health, Livestock and the Environmental Protection Agency.

The meeting also endorsed an action plan for Gulberg Drain, special awards for plastic-free brands, expanded awareness campaigns and holding of a Provincial Environmental Conference in Lahore.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026