Punjab Province

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has intensified its environmental crackdown on commercial cooking points across the province ahead of the upcoming smog season, warning restaurants, marriage halls and other commercial food outlets that they will not be allowed to operate without effective measures to control kitchen emissions.
The campaign forms a major component of the province’s pre-smog environmental strategy, with the EPA focusing on controlling emissions at their source before air quality begins to deteriorate during the smog season. The agency is particularly targeting smoke, fumes and other pollutants generated by commercial cooking activities in densely populated urban areas.
According to the latest EPA figures, 1,875 commercial cooking points have been identified across Punjab, while enforcement teams have already inspected 1,363 establishments during the ongoing campaign. Action taken so far has resulted in 554 commercial cooking points being sealed, reflecting a strict approach towards businesses that have failed to comply with prescribed environmental requirements.
The EPA is placing particular emphasis on the installation and effective operation of suction hood systems at commercial cooking points. These systems are intended to capture smoke, fumes and other emissions produced during cooking and prevent them from being discharged directly into the surrounding atmosphere.
EPA Director General Abdullah Nayyar Sheikh has directed field formations to intensify inspections and ensure that commercial food businesses comply with the required emission-control measures. He has made it clear that restaurants, marriage halls and other establishments cannot continue operating while ignoring environmental safeguards designed to control kitchen emissions.
Field officers have also been instructed to ensure effective implementation of the campaign and identify establishments that have failed to install or properly operate the required suction hood systems. The EPA leadership has stressed that the pre-smog campaign should deliver visible environmental results before the seasonal deterioration in air quality begins.
Secretary Environment Protection and Climate Change Department Silwat Saeed has also directed relevant teams to accelerate implementation of environmental requirements. She stressed that controlling emissions at source is a key element of Punjab’s strategy to reduce pollution and prepare for the smog season.
The scale of commercial cooking activity requiring environmental regulation is evident from district wise data. Gujranwala has the highest number of identified commercial cooking points at 500, followed by Rawalpindi with 250, Faisalabad with 135 and Multan with 120.
Other identified areas include Taxila Rawalpindi with 70 commercial cooking points, Sheikhupura 66, Toba Tek Singh 62, Nankana Sahib 53, Chakwal 48, Pakpattan 47, Kasur 45 and Jhang 42.
EPA spokesman Sajid Bashir said the department had adopted a zero tolerance policy towards commercial cooking points that fail to control their kitchen emissions. He said the suction hood campaign was an important part of the agency’s preparations to address air pollution before the onset of the smog season.
The spokesman said field teams were conducting inspections and taking enforcement action against establishments where environmental requirements were being ignored. He emphasized that commercial establishments could not be allowed to release uncontrolled kitchen emissions into the atmosphere.
According to the EPA, the objective is not merely to require businesses to install emission-control equipment but to ensure that such systems are properly installed, functional and effectively used during commercial cooking operations.
The agency has indicated that inspections of restaurants, marriage halls and other commercial food establishments will continue, with enforcement action to be taken against businesses that fail to meet the prescribed environmental standards.
The pre-smog strategy reflects a shift towards controlling pollution before hazardous air-quality conditions develop, rather than waiting for smog levels to rise and then responding to the resulting environmental and public-health concerns.
With 1,875 commercial cooking points identified, 1,363 inspections completed and 554 establishments already sealed, the EPA has signalled that controlling emissions from commercial kitchens will remain a major environmental enforcement priority in Punjab ahead of the smog season.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Senate Standing Committee on Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) has intensified efforts to recover Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) state properties allegedly occupied through encroachments and administrative negligence.
Committee Chairman Senator Asad Qasim said weak administrative oversight had contributed to the encroachment of state land, stressing that illegally occupied properties would be recovered. He also announced that records of AJK-owned properties would be fully digitised to strengthen monitoring and protect valuable state assets.
Senator Qasim personally inspected AJK state properties in Lahore in July, while Senate records show that the committee also visited state properties near the Wagah Border on July 17. The issue has also been referred to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), with a complaint filed against the relevant administrator. The committee has directed officials to provide regular updates on progress made towards recovering and securing the properties.
The committee has ordered comprehensive measures to prevent further encroachments, including geotagging of all AJK state properties, complete digitisation of ownership and administrative records, clear demarcation of boundaries and construction of boundary structures wherever required.
Administrator Adnan Khan informed the committee that geofencing of AJK state land had already been completed and the rent-collection system had also been digitised. He said 36 personnel were currently available to monitor AJK properties across Punjab.
The scale of AJK's property holdings in Punjab is substantial. The state owns 1,057 acres of agricultural land in Mauza Jangu Chak, Narowal, and another 906 acres in Mauza Purab, Sheikhupura. Its holdings also include approximately 242 kanals of commercial land in Lahore, besides properties located in Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Sialkot and Gujranwala.
Collectively, these properties generate around Rs280.98 million, or Rs28.098 crore, in annual lease income, making their protection important not only from an administrative and legal perspective but also for safeguarding a significant source of public revenue.
The committee observed that delays in dealing with encroached state land can make recovery increasingly difficult, particularly when disputes move between courts and government departments. It therefore emphasised stronger coordination, accurate property records and effective field monitoring to prevent illegal occupation from becoming entrenched.
Senator Asad Qasim said the committee would submit recommendations to the federal government aimed at strengthening the protection of AJK state land, eliminating encroachments and improving coordination among institutions responsible for managing the properties.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
A plan has been initiated to further improve, restore and beautify 6,500 acres of green areas across 20 districts of Punjab following the direction of the Chief Minister Punjab. The initiative will focus on better maintenance and management of existing green spaces across the province.
The 20 horticulture agencies operating in the province collectively manage thousands of acres of green areas. Efforts are now being made to improve the upkeep and overall appearance of these spaces through better management and modern horticulture practices.
Under the initiative, attention will also be given to improving the quality and management of nurseries operated by the horticulture agencies. Better nursery standards are expected to support the availability of quality plants and strengthen the province’s broader landscaping and beautification efforts.
Authorities are also considering the introduction of modern machinery and technology in place of traditional methods used for horticulture and beautification activities. The use of modern equipment could improve the speed, efficiency and quality of maintenance work.
The horticulture agencies also have significant potential to increase their revenue through improved management of their available resources. As part of the proposed reforms, the revenue collection process is being considered for digitisation to make collections more transparent, efficient and easier to monitor.
Improved management of the 6,500 acres of green areas is expected to contribute to better urban environments, increased greenery and more attractive public spaces across the participating districts.
Officials are also focusing on greater use of technology and digital systems in horticulture management. Such measures could reduce reliance on manual processes, improve operational efficiency and strengthen monitoring of activities carried out by the relevant agencies.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to enhance urban beautification, improve public green spaces and strengthen horticulture management across Punjab through modern and more efficient systems.