Lahore: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Punjab has initiated action against 24 entities, including private housing societies and government institutions, for illegally discharging untreated hazardous wastewater into water bodies such as canals and drains.
According to EPA officials, Environmental Protection Orders (EPOs) and Hearing Notices (HNs) have been issued to 22 private housing societies and 2 government institutions found violating environmental laws by releasing untreated sewage and industrial waste into public water channels.
The move follows a broader directive from Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, who recently announced a province-wide crackdown on open dumping of toxic industrial substances, heavy metals, and wastewater. She emphasized that unchecked pollution of water channels was a major contributor to the spread of life-threatening diseases and called for stricter enforcement.
“There will be a complete ban on dumping untreated toxic waste into drains and canals,” the minister had stated, underlining the health risks posed to the general public and the environment.
The EPA’s enforcement drive is expected to intensify in the coming weeks as part of a wider government campaign to improve environmental standards and ensure compliance with waste management regulations. Authorities have warned of strict penalties, including fines and legal action, for continued violations.
The crackdown signals a renewed commitment by the Punjab government to address longstanding environmental hazards and protect public health through regulatory enforcement and policy reform.
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