Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced establishment of the Punjab Enforcement Authority to curb menace of hoarding, profiteering and adulteration in the province.
She said the basic aim of establishing the authority was to ensure selling of edibles at the government fixed rates. The authority would check the quality of edibles and also oversee demand and supply chain. The Punjab Enforcement Authority would carry out checking for eradication of adulteration and would be empowered to impose fines as well. The authority would undertake measures with regard to adopting health hygiene principles for ensuring quality of edibles during their preparation process.
The Punjab Enforcement Authority has also been assigned a task to ensure strict compliance of rules across the province. The Authority, along with the administration, would undertake essential measures for elimination of encroachments as well, she added. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has strongly condemned a bomb blast in the area of Kurram in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. She paid tribute to the sepoys of the Pakistan Army for embracing martyrdom. She said: “Martyrdom and sacrifices further strengthen the resolve of armed forces to stamp out terrorism in the country.”
Moreover, The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Punjab has imposed Rs51.550 million fine to 15,110 brick kilns across the province for not complying with zig-zag methodology. Sources in EPA told media that from April 2024 till date the EPA officials inspected 15,110 brick kilns across Punjab and got registered 560 (Istighasas) FIRs and 515 brick kilns were sealed for not implementing the zig-zag methodologies. Total 94 brick kilns were flooded with water bowser for repeating violations and their brick stacks were demolished with the help of heavy machinery by EPA staff in coordination with district administrations. “Furthermore, the black smoke that comes out of the traditional brick kiln is due to inefficient burning of fuel.