Lahore: The Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a 15-day deadline to restaurants, hotels, and cooking outlets using coal, wood, or charcoal to install suction hoods, warning that violators will face strict action under environmental laws.
EPA Director General Imran Hamid Sheikh said that the agency will not tolerate establishments spreading smoke, grease, and unpleasant odours into the open air. He cautioned that failure to comply within the given period would lead to immediate fines and legal action against offenders.
The EPA has also directed all Deputy Commissioners to ensure the order’s swift implementation across their respective districts. A province-wide crackdown will begin after the 15-day deadline expires, targeting restaurants and food outlets contributing to air pollution.
Sheikh added that the Punjab Food Authority (PFA) and EPA will jointly monitor hotels and restaurants, particularly those operating open ovens, to ensure compliance with air quality standards.
He reiterated that air pollution caused by improper ventilation and unfiltered emissions poses serious environmental and public health risks, and the government remains committed to curbing such practices through coordinated enforcement efforts.
Samra Zulfiqar, a real estate analyst at Zameen.com, is passionate about finding projects that offer buyers the best returns. Her keen insights spotlight the market’s most promising opportunities.
