Punjab govt deploys anti-littering squads in Lahore, fines up to Rs500,000

Profit reported that the Suthra Punjab Authority has launched an e-challan system in Lahore to police cleanliness rules. The first phase covers 200 commercial markets and major roads, where some violations can draw fines of up to Rs500,000. September is a grace period, so offenders will receive only warnings and awareness messages until formal penalties begin on October 1.

Coverage takes in The Mall, Jail Road and Ferozepur Road, while residential neighbourhoods are excluded for now so that the authority can educate residents first. The pilot began Tuesday with 25 teams warning litterers in designated spots, and the enforcement workforce totals 75 people, 50 of whom sit in field and supervisory teams. The scheme was formally unveiled at a ceremony in Liberty Chowk, and Shehryar Arif Khan, CEO of the Lahore Suthra Punjab Authority, described the rollout.

Two provincial statutes, the Punjab Local Government Act, 2025 and the Suthra Punjab Authority Act, 2026, set the penalties: dropping litter in public places costs Rs1,000 to Rs10,000, while neglecting cleanliness outside a home, shop or factory costs Rs1,000 to Rs50,000. Burning waste can bring Rs100,000 to Rs500,000 and up to two years in prison, and burning tyres by a factory or an individual may lead to fines of up to Rs500,000 and seven years of imprisonment. Officials have warned that repeat offences will result in legal action once the grace period ends.