Summary Punjab demolished 197 brick kilns in a month as Musadik Malik highlighted smog's unequal impact and announced plans for a $10 million clean-air startup fund.
LAHORE (Dunya News) — The Punjab Environment Protection Department has demolished 197 substandard brick kilns and sealed 163 others in a month-long anti-smog crackdown, while the federal government has announced plans to establish a $10 million fund for clean-air startups as part of efforts to tackle air pollution and protect public health.
According to the Punjab Environment Protection Department, a total of 11,580 brick kilns were inspected across the province between September 28 and October 27. Action was taken against kilns found violating environmental regulations, with 162 cases registered and fines totalling Rs40.7 million imposed.
As part of the campaign against industrial pollution, authorities inspected 6,650 industrial units, demolished 22 and sealed 191. A total of 333 smog notices were issued over violations, while 15 cases were registered and fines amounting to Rs28 million were imposed.
The department also continued its crackdown on the burning of plastic. Officials inspected 6,064 locations and confiscated 45,100 kilogrammes of plastic. A further 152 locations were sealed over violations.
To control emissions from industrial units, authorities are also monitoring the installation of suction hoods. Under this initiative, 4,204 industrial units were inspected, while 333 locations that failed to comply with environmental requirements were sealed.
Measures to control construction dust were carried out in 397 union councils across Punjab, with mist sprinklers installed at 49 locations.
Meanwhile, 67 quick response units remain operational in agricultural areas to prevent the burning of crop residues. Violations are being identified through satellite and field monitoring, while anti-smog guns continue to be used in Lahore.
Director General of Environment Abdullah Nair Sheikh said the province was continuing to implement a zero-tolerance policy against pollution. He said drones, night squads and field teams remained active, adding that fines, criminal cases and sealing operations would continue against those violating environmental laws.
Separately, Federal Minister for Climate Change Dr Musadik Malik has highlighted the unequal burden of air pollution on society, saying poor communities, schoolchildren, street vendors and farmers were more exposed to smog than affluent people who could afford air purifiers and other protective measures.
Addressing the Pakistan National Clean Air Conference 2026, the minister described air pollution as a human-made crisis arising from policy choices and human activities. He said its health and economic consequences fell disproportionately on people with the fewest resources to protect themselves.
Dr Malik said pollution imposed an economic burden equivalent to 6.5 per cent of Pakistan's gross domestic product (GDP), attributing the cost to illness, hospitalisation and the financial pressures faced by affected families.
Highlighting the public health consequences, he referred to patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who required oxygen and medication. He said the effects of pollution extended beyond the environmental damage that could be seen immediately.
Citing a UNICEF report, the minister said air pollution was damaging children's lung health and growth. He questioned whether children exposed to polluted air could fully understand the harm being caused to their health.
He stressed that people's ability to cope with pollution varied according to their economic circumstances and living conditions.
“Some will adapt, some will install purifiers,” he said, contrasting the protection available to affluent households with the exposure faced by children travelling to school through smog and workers earning their livelihoods outdoors.
The minister said street vendors, farmers and other outdoor workers also bore the consequences of polluted air. He added that farmers who burned crop residues were themselves affected by the resulting pollution, highlighting how communities contributing to the problem through agricultural practices also suffered from its consequences.
Describing air pollution as a policy challenge rather than a natural disaster, Dr Malik said industrial activity and other human actions had contributed to the crisis, and its solution required effective policy measures.
He cited the construction of the Karakoram Highway through mountainous terrain and efforts to control dengue as examples of challenges that could be addressed through determined action.
The minister also referred to China's experience, saying Beijing and Shanghai had moved from being among the world's most polluted cities to becoming major exporters of solar technology.
He said Pakistan could also make progress towards cleaner air through effective policy implementation and cooperation with development partners.
Announcing plans for a $10 million fund for clean-air startups, Dr Malik said the government had decided to establish it using its own limited resources after seeking support from development partners. He said approval from the fund's board was expected the following day.
The minister described the proposed fund as an obligation to future generations rather than a grant or loan. He said the government remained committed to pursuing clean-air measures with or without external partners.
He acknowledged the contributions of development partners, including the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, UNICEF and the German development agency GIZ, in supporting climate-related initiatives.
Emphasising the need to turn commitments into practical measures, Dr Malik said the government's clean-air agenda required engineering solutions, policy implementation and financial commitments rather than slogans.
He reaffirmed the government's resolve to work with development partners to implement measures aimed at improving air quality and protecting public health.
