1,035 arrested in anti-smog operation

LAHORE : In the ongoing crackdown against smog, 1,035 accused have been arrested, with 1,330 cases registered against them.

In the provincial capital, anti-smog operations resulted in the arrest of 73 accused and the registration of 184 cases. Punjab Police spokesperson said that, this year, 686,691 vehicles have been fined across the province for excessive smoke emissions on roads, while 152,640 vehicles with substandard fitness were impounded in police stations. Fitness certificates of 9,993 vehicles emitting excessive smoke were suspended, and vehicles causing environmental pollution on roads have been fined millions of rupees.

IG Punjab Dr Usman Anwar directed an acceleration of the anti-smog crackdown on roads, industrial areas, and other locations. He directed that Traffic Police and Punjab Highway Patrol should intensify actions against vehicles contributing to smog. He also instructed that Safe City cameras be used to monitor and expedite action against smoke-emitting vehicles.

Dr Usman emphasised that Punjab Police is fully cooperating with the Environmental Protection Department to combat smog. Immediate actions are underway across the province against vehicles, factories, and fields involved in activities that cause smog. He directed field officers to intensify environmental protection measures, ensuring strict zero-tolerance action against those burning crop residue, garbage, or violating environmental laws, including factory and kiln owners.

Helmet enforcement drive intensified

City Traffic Police Lahore (CTPL) has intensified its helmet enforcement campaign, powered by an AI system, against helmetless motorcyclists - regardless of rank or profession. This AI-driven initiative is issuing e-tickets to violators, targeting both civilians and police personnel. According to CTO Lahore Ammara Athar, the system has already generated over 240,000 e-challan tickets for helmet violations, while an additional 521,000 manual penalties have been imposed on helmetless riders.