As the Lahore AQI hits 158, Punjab steps up its anti-smog efforts.

The Punjab government has initiated more aggressive anti-smog operations after Lahore registered an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 158, triggering a coordinated system of field enforcement, monitoring and prevention against local sources of pollution.

The operation has been initiated on the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, while drone, nite and Hawk Eye field squads have also been mobilized to monitor and control pollution sources.

The ministry said that 269 industrial units were inspected in the last 24 hours. Eleven outlets were sealed and one booked and fines of Rs1.2 million levied.

In a crackdown on brick kilns, 431 kilns were inspected, five demolished, nine sealed and nine cases recorded while Rs1.4 million fines were levied.

Authorities also assessed 309 establishments for poor plastic use. Seventeen places sealed, 1,297 kg of plastic seized and fines of Rs 148,000 levied.

We assessed 245 BBQ and commercial cooking sites as part of action on major local smoke sources. Suction hoods were fitted at 55 places. 34 sites were sealed.

Dust pollution was controlled by spraying water on 1,178 km of highways. We took steps to conceal exposed construction material at 44 areas and to fix road shoulders at nine spots.

The ministry claimed more than 2.15 lakh farmers throughout Punjab have been contacted so far on how to prevent the burning of agricultural residue while more than 4.31 lakh farmers have been instructed on methods to prevent stubble burning.

More over 6.38 million acres have been planted out of the total rice acreage of over 6.332 million acres, officials said. The administration claimed 1.259 million acres of crop residue had been managed with 2,800 Kabuta machines and roughly 89,000 acres had been managed through 187 balers.

Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said action, awareness and preventive actions against every local source of smog would continue to ensure clean air, healthy environment and better public health.

She urged farmers and citizens to work with the administration and dispose of the crop leftovers in an environment-friendly manner. She also advised the people to report the smoke related issues by calling 1373.