LAHORE – The Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched a major crackdown on restaurants in Lahore for failing to install or properly operate suction hood systems to control smoke emissions, following directions from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
The EPA enforcement force sealed several restaurants across the city for violating environmental regulations, including Ustad Ji Tikka and Hafiz BBQ, over the absence of required suction hood systems.
Yasir Broast Restaurant was also sealed again after its owners allegedly reopened the premises by breaking an official seal. The authorities took strict action over the violation.
Other restaurants, including King Khan Family Restaurant and Haji Abdul Rehman Restaurant, were sealed for failing to install suction hoods as required under environmental regulations.
The authorities also sealed Karachi Chatkhara after finding that although a suction hood had been installed, it was not functioning effectively. The BBQ section of Khan Burger and BBQ was likewise sealed for violating suction hood standard operating procedures, while an Eco Watch team monitored the site.
Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said the installation and effective operation of suction hoods and ducts had been made mandatory at restaurants to control smoke emissions and protect air quality.
She said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif had made it clear that no compromise would be made on providing citizens with clean air and a healthy environment.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government continued its province-wide crackdown against environmental pollution on September 8.
The officials inspected 335 brick kilns, with 27 kilns demolished, six sealed and six cases registered for violations. Fines totalling Rs10.5 million were also imposed.
In action against industrial pollution, authorities inspected 202 industrial units, sealing 14, registering one FIR and imposing fines of Rs11 million.
The authorities also seized 1,335 kilogrammes of plastic, sealed four premises and imposed Rs24,000 in fines as part of the campaign against plastic pollution.
Action was also taken in six union councils to control airborne dust, with six notices issued to violators.
The government said simultaneous action was being taken against all major sources of environmental pollution, including brick kilns, industrial units, plastic waste and restaurant emissions.
The Punjab government reiterated that there would be zero tolerance for violations of environmental laws, stressing that clean air is a basic right of citizens.
