LAHORE: In a concerted effort to tackle smog and environmental violations, the Punjab Police are ramping up their operations across the province, following directives from Inspector General of Police Punjab, Dr. Usman Anwar. Over the past 24 hours, two cases have been registered and offenders arrested in Lahore and other districts as part of this ongoing initiative.

According to a statement by Punjab Police, authorities have imposed fines amounting to Rs. 948,000 on 309 violators while issuing warnings to an additional 35 individuals. The violations encompass incidents such as burning crop residues, emissions from vehicles producing excessive smoke, and infractions by brick kilns.

The anti-smog campaign has been active for the first 19 days of this year, resulting in the arrest of 32 individuals and the registration of 53 cases. Fines exceeding Rs. 15.9 million have been levied on 7,920 offenders, with warnings given to 621 others. Reported violations included crop residue burning, excessive vehicle emissions, brick kiln breaches, and infractions at industrial facilities.

In a recent development, challans were issued to 3,347 vehicles for emitting excessive smoke, and 230 vehicles were impounded. Since the start of the year, 62,822 vehicles have been issued challans, over 7,000 impounded, and fitness certificates for 51 vehicles suspended.

IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar has called for a more vigorous enforcement of anti-smog measures across highways, industrial zones, agricultural areas, and other sites, underscoring a zero-tolerance approach and urging officers to swiftly address violations of smog standard operating procedures (SOPs).