Punjab Imposes Strict Restrictions on BBQ Spots
Key Takeaways
- Punjab government banned wood and charcoal cooking in all restaurants and BBQ outlets due to worsening air pollution.
- Eateries have 15 days to install smoke control systems and suction hoods or face legal action.
- The EPA and PFA have commenced joint inspections to enforce the new directive immediately.
- The ban is part of Punjabâs expanded smog prevention plan ahead of the winter season.
- Air quality remains poor, with several major cities recording Air Quality Index (AQI) levels in the 'Very Unhealthy' range.
The Punjab government has announced a sweeping, province-wide ban on the use of wood and charcoal for cooking in all restaurants and BBQ outlets as part of an urgent strategy to combat rapidly worsening air pollution and smog. All affected establishments have been given a strict 15-day ultimatum to install appropriate smoke control systems and suction hoods, with failure to comply resulting in immediate legal action under environmental laws. Joint inspection teams from the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and Punjab Food Authority (PFA) have already been deployed across all districts to ensure strict adherence to the new directive. EPA Director General Imran Hamid Sheikh emphasized that there is zero tolerance for smoke-emitting restaurants and that deputy commissioners are supervising the implementation process. This regulatory crackdown is a key component of Punjabâs expanded smog prevention plan ahead of the winter season, coinciding with alarming air quality readings; for instance, the average AQI was recorded at 164, with major cities like Gujranwala (239) and Lahore (206) registering 'Very Unhealthy' levels.
