Despite the strict restrictions on the burning of crop residue across Punjab, the illegal and dangerous activity continues unabated.
Inhabitants of areas nearby where crops are being burned are now complaining of health problems. Residents of Hafizabad, where an incident of crop burning was witnessed, complained of difficulty breathing and itching in their eyes.
Others complained of respiratory problems such as sore throats and coughing due to the toxic smoke that crop burning produces.
Crackdown
Provincial authorities have begun the enforcement of arrests and legal cases against individuals engaged in the dangerous practice of crop residue burning, following orders from Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb.
In line with this enforcement, two people caught burning crop residues near the motorway in the Hafizabad area have been detained, with formal charges filed against them. Their actions led to a motorway accident due to the smoke, which necessitated these legal measures, according to a press release issued on Thursday.
Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb reported that the government’s legal steps were influenced by recent survey results. She highlighted that the provincial government had directed administrative and police forces to adopt a strict no-tolerance policy against crop residue burning upon learning of related incidents.
Assistant Commissioners and local officials throughout the province have been charged with ensuring the cessation of this practice.
