LAHORE: The Punjab government on Wednesday launched a “pre-smog crackdown” on waste burning and vehicle emissions in the province to preempt severe air pollution that engulfs different parts of the province, especially Lahore, from October to January every year.

The government ordered a clampdown on major sources of air pollution, including construction dust, dry sweeping, crop-residue burning, brick kilns, waste burning and vehicle emissions.

Punjab Environment Protection Agency (EPA) directed the relevant departments, civic authorities and development agencies to tighten implementation of pollution-control measures and ensure that routine activities do not add to particulate pollution.

The latest directions indicate a shift towards controlling pollution sources before the onset of the peak smog season, rather than swinging into action after air quality deteriorates.

EPA Director General Abdullah Nayyar Sheikh has directed the Suthra Punjab Authority to discontinue dry sweeping and adopt mechanical or wet sweeping across the province.

The agency said dry sweeping re-suspends settled road dust into the atmosphere, contributing to higher concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5, particularly along major roads and high-traffic corridors.

The EPA also called for a ban on open burning of solid waste, including roadside waste, leaves and garbage. It has asked the sanitation authority to identify and regularly monitor the dust and waste-burning hotspots, particularly during the peak smog period from October to January.

Open burning of solid waste is prohibited under the Punjab Environmental Protection (Smog Prevention and Control) Rules, 2023, the agency said, calling for closer supervision of sanitation staff and contractors to ensure compliance.

The regulator also directed the departments concerned and development authorities to strictly implement its dust-control protocols at under-construction roads and buildings.

The Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Engineering Department, Local Government and Community Development Department, Communication and Works Department, commissioners, deputy commissioners and major development authorities have been asked to ensure that executing agencies and contractors comply with the prescribed measures.

The EPA said field inspections in Lahore had found that dust-control measures were not being adequately implemented at several ongoing development projects despite detailed SOPs having been issued in 2025.

The measures include regular water sprinkling at construction sites, covering vehicles transporting construction material and installing dust-containment barriers.

The agency proposed making compliance with the dust-control SOPs an integral part of the terms and conditions for project approval and execution, effectively making environmental compliance a mandatory requirement for development projects.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the administration to further strengthen the anti-smog strategy adopted last year and ensure preemptive action against all major sources of pollution.

She ordered authorities to ensure the disposal of crop residue through modern machinery and prevent its burning. Measures have also been directed against the burning of plastic and the use of plastic-based products that pose risks to human health.

Monitoring of brick kilns has also been intensified, with action against kilns operating without the zigzag technology accelerated. Restaurants and barbecue outlets emitting smoke have also been brought under enhanced inspection.

The administration has further intensified inspection of heavy and light vehicles entering Lahore, particularly for excessive smoke emissions. Continuous monitoring of motorcycle emissions has also been ordered, with action against vehicles found contributing to pollution.

The use of Safe City cameras, thermal imaging and AI-based systems for monitoring pollution-related violations has also been enhanced, officials say.

The chief minister has urged people to cooperate with the administration during the three-month smog season to make the anti-smog drive successful.

Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2026