Published on, Sept. 17 -- September 17, 2025 6:33 PM

The Punjab Environmental Protection (EPA) has uncovered the secret nighttime operation of banned pyrolysis plants in Lahore, which are fueling the city's worsening smog problem, according to its latest drone surveillance report. These plants, which appear closed during the day, were found burning old tires at night to produce low-cost fuel, a practice identified as a major contributor to Lahore's severe air pollution crisis.

The EPA's drone squad inspected eight pyrolysis plants located in Karol Ghati, Turki Road, Sharifpura, and Daroghawala. Out of these, three plants were actively running, while five seemed inactive during inspection. However, large stockpiles of tires, visible elec...