Punjab Imposes Hefty Fines For Smoke Emitting Vehicle

Punjab’s Caretaker Minister for Transport, Ibrahim Hasan Murad, has provided statistics on the government’s actions against vehicles emitting smoke. Official data indicates that over 1700 vehicles were seized, and a fine of Rs. 80 million was imposed for causing air pollution in recent weeks.

In an interview with a local media outlet, the minister disclosed that, out of 71,000 inspected vehicles, 5.6 percent were in violation of government directives on emission reduction, emitting smoke. Additionally, Murad mentioned that the Punjab Transport Authority Enforcement Wing is cracking down on vehicles belonging to private schools, colleges, and universities. Motorcycles, identified as significant contributors to pollution, receive fines and warnings instead of impoundment, particularly due to their association with the labor class.

Read more : Punjab Government Exempts IT Sector From Anti-Smog Lockdown

The minister also noted the government’s use of cloud seeding to enhance rain probability. With an improvement in the Air Quality Index (AQI), Punjab has decided to lift the smart lockdown imposed to address smog. Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), stated that the decision was made following consultations with experts and the Punjab environment department.