EPA demolishes 197 brick kilns in month-long anti-...

Summary

• LAHORE:  The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Punjab has intensified its pre-smog enforcement and pollution mitigation operations across the province, demolishing 197 non-compliant brick kilns, sealing 163 units and registering 162 first information reports (FIRs) during a month-long crackdown aimed at curbing emissions ahead of the peak smog season.
• Official enforcement data for the period from September 28 to October 27, 2026, shows that the agency conducted thousands of inspections targeting brick kilns, industrial units, plastic burning, commercial facilities and construction sites, alongside measures to control agricultural fires and suppress dust at pollution hotspots.
• Drone surveillance and special night squads have been incorporated into the department’s monitoring strategy to strengthen detection of pollution sources and support enforcement teams in the field.

AI Generated Summary

LAHORE:  The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Punjab has intensified its pre-smog enforcement and pollution mitigation operations across the province, demolishing 197 non-compliant brick kilns, sealing 163 units and registering 162 first information reports (FIRs) during a month-long crackdown aimed at curbing emissions ahead of the peak smog season. The campaign combines extensive field inspections with drone surveillance, special night squads and targeted anti-smog measures to identify pollution sources and ensure compliance with environmental laws.

Official enforcement data for the period from September 28 to October 27, 2026, shows that the agency conducted thousands of inspections targeting brick kilns, industrial units, plastic burning, commercial facilities and construction sites, alongside measures to control agricultural fires and suppress dust at pollution hotspots.

Director General Environment Abdullah Nayyar Sheikh said the department was pursuing a data-driven, zero-tolerance strategy to protect public health. He said enforcement teams were using field monitoring and surveillance to identify violations, while special squads remained active during the day and at night to prevent polluters from escaping inspection.

According to the figures, EPA squads carried out 11,580 inspections of brick kilns, issuing 314 smog notices, demolishing 197 non-compliant kilns, sealing 163 units and registering 162 FIRs. Fines totalling Rs40.7 million were imposed during the reporting period.

The action against brick kilns is a key component of the province’s pre-smog preparations, as emissions from units operating in violation of environmental requirements can contribute to deteriorating air quality. The scale of the crackdown reflects the department’s focus on preventing pollution before conditions become more severe during winter.