Punjab bans petrol-powered Qingqis, motorcycles to curb smog

The Punjab government has announced a broad set of measures to curb smog and improve air quality, including a phased shutdown of petrol motorcycle production and an immediate ban on the manufacturing of petrol-powered Qingqi rickshaws.

A special meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Anti-Smog, chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, decided that all government departments will now purchase only electric or hybrid vehicles, including motorbikes. Participants of the meeting said the shift is intended to accelerate the transition to cleaner transport at a time when air pollution in major cities remains at hazardous levels.

During the meeting, it was also decided to impose a ban on washing vehicles at home and to endorse a proposal for colour-coded waste bins across Punjab to improve waste segregation and reduce open burning.

Tough penalties were approved for burning plastic, rubber and other materials that emit toxic smoke, with authorities warning that no leniency would be shown for actions that threaten public health. To address emissions from ageing vehicles, the provincial government also approved the establishment of permanent testing workshops across the province.

Participants were briefed that a 'smog war room' is operational at the Safe Cities Authority to support monitoring and enforcement. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also appreciated the ongoing campaign against child labour at brick kilns.

Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb briefed the committee on enforcement actions taken so far, noting that 41 air-quality monitoring stations are active in 18 districts and that 100 additional sensors will be installed next year. She said more than 450 industrial units, found violating environmental regulations, have been demolished, with fines exceeding Rs230 million.

A night enforcement squad has separately dismantled at least 100 units, while 2,200 brick kilns have been demolished and another 2,336 sealed across the province.

Earlier, the government had deployed the country’s first Environment Protection Squad (EPS), a multi-tiered force equipped with e-bikes and tasked with addressing pollution in both urban and rural areas. The squad includes teams focusing on brick kilns, plastic waste, dust control, emissions and environmental surveillance.

Officials said thermal drones and a mobile air-quality monitoring station are being used to track pollution hotspots and support regulatory enforcement.

In parallel, the Environmental Protection Agency has directed that no vehicle exceeding noise or emission limits under the Punjab Environmental Quality Standards will be allowed on Lahore’s roads. The order initially applies to light transport vehicles and cars manufactured before 2015, which must undergo emission testing at EPA booths set up across the city.

Despite these measures, smog continues to blanket much of the province. Air-quality data released on Thursday showed Punjab’s average Air Quality Index at 205, a level classified as unhealthy. Lahore remained among the most polluted cities, recording an average AQI of 319 between 8am and 3pm.

Several neighbourhoods reported higher readings, including Kahna Nau Hospital at 470, the Lahore Waste Management Company and Egerton Road at 366, and Safari Park at 323. Other major urban centres also recorded elevated pollution levels, with AQIs of 294 in Khanewal, 271 in Faisalabad and 233 in Sheikhupura.

CM directs to solve property cases of widows

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed the authorities concerned to prioritise the resolution of cases involving illegal occupation of widows’ properties.

She also instructed assistant commissioners in every tehsil to receive applications related to land grabbing and expressed displeasure over the lack of timely decisions in cases from Gujrat, Layyah, Hafizabad and other districts.

The chief minister said all deputy commissioners should hold daily meetings to review progress on such cases.

Officials said 2,919 applications against illegal occupation had been received over the past three weeks, of which 499 had been resolved by the District Dispute Resolution Committees.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of a school meal programme for special education students, the chief minister announced that Himmat Cards would be launched for the welfare of special students.