LAHORE:ThePunjabEnvironment Protection Agency (EPA) claimed to have registered more than 4,500 cases and arrested hundreds of persons in a province-wide crackdown on environmental violations carried out between 2024 and early 2026.

Official data available with Dawn showed that the operations covered brick kilns, industries, plastic use, vehicular emissions and construction sites, with enforcement actions exceedinghalf amillioninspections during this period.

According to figures, brick kilninspections rose from 62,173 in 2024 to 81,827 in 2025, with 24,883 conducted in early 2026. FIRs in this sector increased from 1,862 in 2024 to 2,357 in 2025, while 323 have been registered thisyear.

Industrialinspectionsnearly doubled from 24,344 in 2024 to 44,684 in 2025, with 14,834 carried out so far in 2026. Sealing actions rose from 1,538 units in 2024 to 1,834 in 2025, with 327 units sealed this year.

The anti-plastic campaign recorded confiscations of 36,094 kilograms in 2024, rising to 419,033kg in 2025. In 2026, 78,876kg have already been seized.

Financial penalties increased from Rs2.51 million in 2024 to Rs8.14m in 2025.

Construction site inspections rose from 242 in 2024 to 3,817 in 2025, with 104 sites checked this year.

Vehicle emission tests reached 294,228 in 2025, with 3,268 morevehicles tested in 2026.

Water conservation measures included installation of 2,242 water re cyclers at service stations in 2025, with 57 more added this year.

EPA Director General Imran Hamid Sheikh said the data shows increased vigilance and gradual compliance.

He noted that while enforcement rose between 2024 and 2025, early 2026 trends suggest regulated sectors are beginning to respond to monitoring and penalties.

He cited IQAir findings that 2025 recorded one of the best yearsfor Lahore`s air quality in recent times, with average AQI showing decline.

Environment Protection and Climate Change Department Secretary Silwat Saeed said the government`s enforcement reflects a policy of zero tolerance towards violations, alongside public engagement and adoption of modern technologies.