RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi district administration has launched a crackdown on brick kilns and factories operating in violation of smog SOPs, contributing to the widespread smog in the district.
According to details, the Rawalpindi district administration sealed two industrial units on Wednesday for causing air pollution and violating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Authorities also imposed a fine of Rs 900,000 on the sealed industrial units.
Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema stated that twenty-four brick kilns had been demolished, and thirteen other units had been stopped from operating in an effort to combat the smog issue.
A total fine of Rs 8.1 million has also been imposed on the brick kilns.
During the anti-smog operation, four chemical factories were also sealed, and a fine of Rs 900,000 was imposed.
Moreover, the authorities inspected 6,000 vehicles, of which 2,711 were found to be emitting smoke and were fined a total of Rs 500,000.
A total of 441 owners and drivers of polluting vehicles were arrested, according to the Deputy Commissioner.
Earlier, the Lahore district administration had banned access to public places, including parks, to address the increasing threat of smog.