From Abid Usman
LAHORE: The Punjab government has announced formation of an ‘Environment Protection Authority’ aimed at combating smog and enhancing environment quality.
Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb stated that this authority would be tasked with enforcement of environmental protection regulations.
Marriyum Aurangzed disclosed the initiatives and plans of the Punjab government to mitigate environmental crisis. A smog cabinet committee was established during a session chaired by Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz.
A Smog Monitoring Sectoral Cell, comprising representatives of various departments, has been set up within the Department of Planning and Development.
The minister emphasised that the groundwork for establishing a legal framework aligning with the CM’s vision had commenced. An action plan had been devised for the immediate enforcement of regulations across different departments, with a special force dedicated to environment protection to be formed, she added.
She said digital data collection would be employed to assess the contribution of various sectors to smog control.
The minister announced crackdown on sources emitting smog, harmful chemicals, and smoke, ensuring strict adherence to environmental regulations in industrial and transport sectors.
Marriyum Aurangzeb also announced stringent measures regarding brick kilns, stating that no kiln would operate without the zig-zag technology. She said non-compliant kilns had already been sealed.
Moreover, a fitness certificate will be mandatory for vehicles, and those emitting smoke or having faulty engines will face bans. A monitoring and certification system for vehicles with defective engines will also be implemented. Industries will be required to install ‘emission control systems’ to mitigate the release of harmful smoke and toxins.
