Anti-smog crackdown intensified across Lahore Division

By LAHORE: Commissioner Lahore Division Nauman Yousuf has ordered a division-wide crackdown on smog-causing activities and he is directly inspecting ongoing water drainage operations after recent heavy rains across the provincial capital. Chairing an anti-smog meeting on Friday, the commissioner directed the district authorities, traffic police, and environment teams to enforce Section 144, impound smoke-emitting vehicles, and crack down on crop residue, garbage, and substandard fuel burning with zero tolerance. The meeting was attended by District Commissioner DC Lahore Captain Ali Ejaz (retd), DC Kasur Asif Raza, DC Nankana Ra'ana Hameed, and DC Sheikhupura Rana Tasawur Adeel, along with Additional Commissioner Lahore Bilal Hassan and officials from the Punjab Environment Department. He also ordered the immediate deployment of specialised anti-smog squads across all four division districts, directing strict action against environmental SOP violations under Section 144. Special monitoring squads have also been tasked with inspecting public and private construction sites to ensure full compliance with anti-smog regulations. He said all districts must establish anti-smog squads and ensure they remain 100 percent active in the field. He added that actions under Section 144 must be taken to enforce the ban on burning crop residue in areas surrounding the motorways. The burning of substandard fuel, garbage, and tyres is completely prohibited, he added. During the meeting, officials from the district administration and the environment department provided a briefing. They highlighted that squads from the district administration and the environment department have been formed, and strict action will be taken against burning crop residue. Meanwhile, the commissioner visited major rain-affected hotspots, including Lakshmi Chowk, Jain Mandir, Ferozepur Road, Qurtaba Chowk, Johar Town, Akbar Chowk, and Allah Hoo Chowk to review the water drainage arrangements. On this occasion, he instructed the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) to clear secondary roads and low-lying areas without delay. He was accompanied by WASA Lahore Managing Director Ghufran Ahmed. During the visit, he noted that Mall Road and Johar Town received heavier rainfall, and these areas must be cleared in the shortest possible time. He stated that WASA camps and disposal stations are fully operational at maximum capacity across all areas. 'The localities where the rain has stopped have been cleared in the shortest possible time. All hotspot areas are clear, and water drainage teams are present at every point in the city while further work is underway,' he added, adding that in case of more rain, teams are present in the areas to provide a timely response. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026