A view of smog in Punjab province. PHOTO FILE: AFP
Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said on Friday that, for the first time in the province’s history, the Environmental Protection Agency and Climate Change Annual Development Programme schemes have been finalised ahead of schedule under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s Climate Resilient Punjab Vision 2024, with rapid implementation now underway.
Speaking at a briefing in Lahore, she said work was progressing on 38 Annual Development Programme (ADP) schemes. After providing 5,000 super seeders at a 60 per cent subsidy this year, the government has added another 15,000 super seeders, 5,000 balers and harvesters to the programme to help curb crop residue burning.
She said 15 anti-smog guns had provided coverage of more than 47,000 kilometres, resulting in a recorded 30 to 45 per cent reduction in PM10 levels. To further control smog, the government has decided to install 30 modern fog cannons on electric trucks at a cost of Rs3billion. These will operate in major urban and industrial areas to reduce dust and air pollution.
Aurangzeb said industries would be relocated from Lahore in phases before the next smog season. Plastic-free zonification across Punjab and the identification of pollution hotspots have also been announced. A decision has been taken to introduce an EV-one system to replace two- and three-wheelers.
Read: Punjab continues struggles with hazardous air quality as smog levels remain dangerously high
She said the region’s first Punjab Climate Observatory would be established, while the Punjab Climate Change Act and the Observatory Act would be presented to the cabinet within six months.
The Lahore Air Improvement Framework is being launched with an allocation of Rs2.25billion. Under the “One City, One Policy” model and through a Super Station, real-time identification of pollution sources will be made possible. With China’s cooperation, a modern air quality governance system will be introduced in Lahore, and a detailed inventory of pollution sources, including dust, vehicles, industry and biomass burning, will be prepared.
More than 50 modern air quality monitors have been installed across Punjab, alongside an automated quality assurance system. Fifteen water quality monitoring stations are operational on five rivers, tracking 15 parameters through telemetry. Punjab Climate Watch and a real-time dashboard have been launched, and staff from 10 to 15 departments have been trained to operate a central monitoring system.
Regarding the anti-plastic campaign, she said more than 461,000 kilograms of banned plastic bags had been seized and over 36,000 undertakings collected. Gulberg, Link Road, Packages Mall and Dolmen Mall have been directed to operate as plastic-free zones.
Read more: Smog chokes Punjab as millions fall ill in 2025
She said 74 incinerators were now operational and waste management systems in public and private hospitals had been tightened, with action to be taken against violations. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been fully digitised, with fines and case management shifted to an online portal. A digital audit system and IT-based unit have also been established to improve transparency.
Two modern training centres are operational, offering specialist programmes. The Punjab Green School Programme has been expanded to 41 districts, with more than 18,000 schools registered. Preparations have been completed for a low-emission zone in Lahore and GIS-based emission hotspot mapping.
Aurangzeb said progress was underway on an indigenous Emission Trading System and Green Credits Registry, alongside the introduction of green entrepreneurship and a green banking ecosystem. Rs5.05 billion has been allocated for upgrading EPA laboratories, while Rs1.4billion has been approved for the Punjab Environmental Reference Laboratory, including the establishment of a modern forensic unit and vehicle emissions testing facilities.
She added that Rs700 million had been allocated for an Environment and Climate Delivery Unit to monitor environmental projects through key performance indicators and a digital dashboard. A regulatory framework modelled on the European Union is being developed to ensure clearer responsibilities and updated environmental laws.
An Environmental Museum and Eco-Amusement Park will be set up in Lahore for Rs1.5 billion to promote awareness, eco-tourism and green employment opportunities. A Rs500 million biomass circular economy project will also be launched to reduce crop burning, promote alternative energy, and help cut smog levels.
