The Director General of the Punjab Environment Protection Department, Dr. Imran Hamid Shaikh, has announced a strict crackdown on smoke-emitting vehicles starting today, directing traffic police to take immediate action against all violators.
Dr. Shaikh stated that vehicles without valid fitness certificates or VICS clearance will not be allowed on the roads, adding that traffic police must stop such vehicles immediately.
As part of broader anti-smog efforts, he said it is now mandatory to spray water twice a day on roads and ongoing construction sites to control dust. Construction projects violating environmental rules will face strict action, while trucks transporting soil or debris without proper covers will be impounded.
The DG warned that anyone involved in crop residue burning would face severe penalties and urged agricultural teams to stay alert in the field. He emphasized that dust and mud accumulation on roads would no longer be tolerated, as they contribute to smog formation.
Dr. Shaikh also directed that schoolchildren and their parents must wear masks, calling on the education department to ensure compliance. “It’s time for all institutions to move beyond lip service—combating air pollution requires concrete and sustained action,” he said.
