Lahore: On the instructions of Inspector General of Police Punjab, Dr. Usman Anwar, the Punjab Police is intensifying its efforts to combat smog and protect the environment.

According to Punjab Police, in the past 24 hours, two legal cases have been filed across the province, and 32 individuals have been warned. A total of 498 violators have been fined Rs. 832,000 for offenses related to environmental violations.

The Punjab Police spokesperson reported that during this year’s anti-smog campaign, authorities have arrested 3,198 individuals, registered 3,761 cases, and issued warnings to 7,472 people. Fines exceeding Rs. 97.7 million have been imposed on 39,400 violators. The violations include 2,057 cases related to crop residue burning, 34,133 cases involving vehicles emitting excessive smoke, 364 industrial activity violations, 1,404 violations at brick kilns, and 360 other environmental infractions.

In the last 24 hours alone, Punjab Police issued challans to 5,169 vehicles emitting excessive smoke, impounded 466 vehicles, and suspended the fitness certificate of one vehicle. This year, a total of 874,691 vehicles have been fined on highways, 171,271 vehicles impounded, and fitness certificates for 10,107 vehicles have been suspended.

Inspector General Dr. Anwar has instructed supervisory officers to strengthen the anti-smog crackdown across highways, industrial areas, agricultural sites, and other locations, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy against violations of smog standard operating procedures (SOPs).