Punjab: Decision to create Environmental Protection Authority to eliminate smog

Lahore: It has been decided to create an Environmental Protection Authority to eliminate smog in Punjab.

In a statement issued by Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, it has been stated that the Punjab government has taken a major decision to improve the environment and eliminate smog, according to which the Environmental Protection Authority will be created.

He said that the authority will ensure effective implementation of environmental protection measures and laws. It has been decided to form a cabinet committee on smog under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz. Apart from this, a smog monitoring sectoral cell has been created in Planning and Development, in which there is a representative of each department.

Maryam Aurangzeb said that the preparation of the legal framework has been started to implement the vision of the Chief Minister for the improvement of the environment. An action plan for emergency measures has been prepared for implementation of rules and regulations for each sector. Along with this, it has also been decided to create a special force to protect the environment.

He said that digital data will be collected in this regard which will show which sector is causing the increase in smog. There will be a crackdown on smog, toxic substances and sources of smoke emission. Environmental laws and regulations related to industry and transport sector will be strictly implemented.

The senior provincial minister said that no kiln will work without zigzag technology. Fitness certificate is being made mandatory for vehicles. Vehicles with high emissions and bad engines will be banned. A system of monitoring and certification of vehicles with defective engines is being introduced. To control the toxic fumes, a system was developed mandating all industries to install ’emission control systems’.