The Punjab government has submitted a report to the Lahore High Court regarding actions it has taken to eliminate smog. The report says 6,700 units were sealed for violating smog-related restrictions. It further says that in three months, about 60,000 small and large units were checked, and more than 6,700 units were sealed over violations. In the last three months, fines worth more than Rs129 million were imposed during the crackdown on tackling smog, 540 cases were registered against those causing smog and 118 people were arrested, the report mentioned. It further says that 735 smoke-emitting factories were sealed in Lahore division, while 187 brick kilns were sealed during the crackdown.

Fines of Rs8.6 million were imposed for burning crop residue, as per the report, adding that 216 cases were registered for setting fire to crop stubble. On the other hand, the air quality index of Lahore was recorded at around 211 shortly after noon, due to which the city fell to the third spot on the list of most polluted cities in the world for the first time in months. Previously, it consistently held the first and second spots due to the hazardous levels of air pollution. Earlier in the morning, the AQI of Lahore was recorded at a hazardous level of 371, which drastically dropped later. Within the city, the most polluted areas were Polo Ground Cantt with an AQI of 291, and Phase 8 DHA 259.

 Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)