RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: The government of Pakistan’s Punjab province has introduced a drone surveillance system to monitor brick kilns and curb toxic emissions that contribute to the region’s recurring smog crisis.
The move, directed by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, comes as part of the province’s ambitious Zero Pollution Policy, aimed at improving air quality across one of South Asia’s most polluted regions.
Punjab, home to over 120 million people and the industrial heartland of Pakistan, experiences hazardous air each winter, with Lahore regularly ranking among one of the world’s most polluted cities.
Officials say the new drone system is designed to detect illegal emissions and ensure compliance with environmental laws in real time.
Drones to Enforce 24-Hour Emission Monitoring
During an initial inspection along the Lahore–Islamabad Motorway, drones monitored 112 brick kilns: 77 were found emitting white smoke within safe limits, 34 were inactive, and only one was observed releasing black smoke, according to the Punjab Environment Protection Agency (EPA).
The EPA has also formed a dedicated “green enforcement force” to monitor kiln chimneys around the clock. Travelers can report any kiln emitting black smoke via a toll-free hotline (1373), prompting immediate on-ground intervention by EPA teams.
Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb commended both kiln owners and EPA officers for their cooperation, saying, “Such collaboration is vital to achieving Punjab’s goal of cleaner air and a healthier environment.”
Why Punjab Took This Step
The crackdown follows years of growing public concern and international scrutiny over Pakistan’s air quality, which the World Health Organization ranks among the most hazardous globally. Brick kilns are a major source of carbon emissions and particulate pollution during winter, trapping dense smog over Lahore and surrounding districts.
Officials say the drone initiative will help identify violators faster, reduce human error in inspections, and ensure that kilns switch to cleaner Zig-Zag technology, a method proven to cut emissions by up to 60%.
While environmental experts have welcomed the policy, they caution that sustained political will, strict enforcement, and industrial reform will be critical to achieving long-term air quality improvements in Punjab.
