EPA tells LHC it demolished 41 units, sealed dozens to curb smog

Submits compliance report to LHC, 127 units sealed, cases filed against 109 violators for environmental violations

LAHORE:

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Saturday submitted a detailed report to the Lahore High Court, outlining enforcement actions taken against polluters in compliance with court orders issued in the ongoing smog mitigation case.

According to the report, the EPA has demolished 41 industrial units and nine brick kilns which were all identified as major contributors to environmental pollution. Further, 81 industrial units, 41 restaurants and five brick kilns have been sealed for violating environmental standards.

Read: Air quality monitoring lacks scientific backing

Cases have been registered against 39 industrial units and 70 owners of brick kilns, the EPA further informed the court

Further action included imposing fines on polluters. Industrial units were penalised a total of Rs100 million, while brick kiln owners were fined Rs71 million.

The LHC had earlier directed strict action against institutions responsible for environmental degradation as part of its efforts to curb smog in the provincial capital.

To curb the effects of smog and reduce its prevalence across the province, the Punjab government undertook various initiatives. These include the use of anti-smog guns, crackdowns on smoke-belching vehicles, brick kilns, restaurants, and other polluters, along with bans on tree cutting.

Read More: Smog chokes Punjab as millions fall ill in 2025

However, over 20 million people across Punjab were affected by smog and hazardous air quality in 2025, turning the winter months into a prolonged public health crisis.

Lahore bore the brunt, with over 600,000 residents seeking medical treatment for illnesses directly linked to smog. Other major cities, including Faisalabad, Multan, Rawalpindi and Gujranwala, collectively reported more than 1.8 million cases, according to health authorities.