{
  "id": 6226669,
  "title": "Drive against air pollution: Five brick kilns sealed for flouting SOPs in Sargodha",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/drive-against-air-pollution-five-brick-kilns-sealed-for-flouting-sops",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-08T03:38:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn - Pakistan",
    "slug": "dawn-pakistan",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2028202/drive-against-air-pollution-five-brick-kilns-sealed-for-flouting-sops-in-sargodha"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "SARGODHA: The Punjab government's environmental department took action against five brick kilns in Sillianwali tehsil, dismantling them due to suspected breaches of environmental protocols. Deputy Commissioner Hussain Ahmed Raza Chaudhry issued orders for the raid, conducted by EPD Deputy Director Muhammad Rana. The kilns were found non-compliant with the mandated Zigzag technology for reducing hazardous emissions. The team sealed the kilns, emphasizing the enforcement of environmental laws to combat air pollution and promote a healthier environment for citizens. The deputy director vowed that such actions against violators would persist.\n\nIn a separate incident, Qamar Hayat (45), a resident of Bahk Mekan village, tragically died after being struck by a speeding dumper truck near 84 Adda Pump area in Sargodha. The victim was on a motorcycle at the time of the collision. Emergency services, including Rescue 1122, responded to the scene and transported the body to Dr Faisal Masood Teaching DHQ Hospital. Police are currently investigating the incident.\n\nAdditionally, Nadeem Shehzad, a food inspector assigned to the Dajal check post, was dismissed from his position for his role in preparing false permits to facilitate the smuggling of a substantial amount of wheat from Punjab to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The ACE team, under the supervision of the concerned assistant commissioner, apprehended Shehzad while he was aiding the smuggling operation in Bhakkar district.",
  "summary": "SARGODHA: As part of the Punjab government’s anti-smog operations , a team of the environment department demolished five brick kilns over alleged violations of the environmental protocols in Sillianwali tehsil. The action was taken by local environment protection department officials, on the instructions of Deputy Commissioner (DC) Hussain Ahmed Raza Chaudhry. During a raid, led by EPD Deputy…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}