LAHORE: The Punjab Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has launched an Anti-Smog crackdown on commercial cooking points across the province.
The campaign aims to control kitchen emissions before the smog season begins. Authorities have warned commercial food businesses to follow mandatory environmental requirements.
Restaurants, marriage halls and other food outlets must install effective suction hood systems. Businesses failing to meet the requirements may face strict enforcement action.
The EPA has identified 1,875 commercial cooking points across Punjab. So far, field teams have inspected 1,363 units during the ongoing campaign.
The enforcement drive has resulted in 554 commercial cooking points being sealed. The figures show the department’s strict approach toward businesses violating environmental standards.
Suction hood systems are a major focus of the campaign. These systems are designed to capture smoke, fumes and other emissions produced during cooking.
The EPA wants businesses to prevent kitchen emissions from being released directly into the surrounding atmosphere. The measure is especially important in densely populated urban areas.
EPA Director General Abdullah Nayyar Sheikh has directed field teams to increase inspections. He instructed officers to ensure commercial cooking points follow the required emission-control measures.
The DG also stressed the need for effective enforcement at the district level. Authorities have been asked to identify businesses that have failed to install proper emission-control systems.
Secretary Environment Protection and Climate Change Department Silwat Saeed also directed teams to speed up enforcement. She said controlling emissions at their source remains important for the province’s pre-smog strategy.
The district-wise figures show the scale of commercial cooking activities across Punjab. Gujranwala has the highest number with 500 identified cooking points.
Rawalpindi follows with 250 identified units. Faisalabad has 135, while Multan has 120 commercial cooking points.
Other identified locations include Taxila Rawalpindi with 70 units. Sheikhupura has 66, while Toba Tek Singh has 62.
Nankana Sahib has 53 identified cooking points. Chakwal has 48, Pakpattan has 47, Kasur has 45 and Jhang has 42.
EPA spokesman Sajid Bashir said the department had adopted a zero-tolerance policy. He said businesses cannot release kitchen emissions into the atmosphere without proper controls.
The spokesman said the suction hood campaign is an important part of the Anti-Smog preparations. Field teams are checking businesses and taking action against violations.
He added that the EPA wants emission-control measures to work effectively. Businesses must implement the requirements rather than simply maintain them on paper.
The department will continue inspecting restaurants, marriage halls and other commercial food establishments. Businesses that fail to comply could face further enforcement action.
In other news read more about Lahore’s Air Quality Index Soars to 332 Amid Diwali Festivities Despite Anti-Smog Efforts
The Anti-Smog campaign is focused on controlling pollution sources before air quality worsens. Authorities aim to complete stronger enforcement before the peak smog period.
