Lahore rolls out e-challans to fine litterers up to Rs10,000

People found throwing waste on roads or in public places in Lahore will face fines ranging from Rs1,000 to Rs10,000 under a new e-challan system launched by the Suthra Punjab Authority (SPA) to enforce cleanliness laws across the city.

The Suthra Punjab Authority (SPA) on Tuesday launched an e-challan system in Lahore to penalise violations of cleanliness regulations, with fines of up to Rs500,000 for burning waste and tyres.

The pilot project covers 200 commercial markets and major roads in Lahore, including The Mall, Jail Road and Ferozepur Road, Lahore Suthra Punjab Authority CEO Shehryar Arif Khan told Dawn.

He said 25 teams had initially been deployed to issue warnings to people involved in littering, while the total enforcement staff assigned to the e-challan system comprises 75 personnel.

September will serve as a grace period, during which violators will receive warnings and awareness messages. Formal fines will be imposed from October 1, Khan said.

The authority is currently not considering extending the e-challan system to residential areas, with officials instead focusing on educating residents about cleanliness regulations.

Under the new system, people found throwing waste on roads or in public places will face fines ranging from Rs1,000 to Rs10,000 under the Punjab Local Government Act, 2025 and the Suthra Punjab Authority Act, 2026.

Failure to maintain cleanliness outside a house, shop or factory can result in fines ranging from Rs1,000 to Rs50,000.

Shops and shopping malls using prohibited plastic bags can be fined Rs1,000 and Rs2,000, respectively, according to officials.

Burning waste can attract a fine ranging from Rs100,000 to Rs500,000 and imprisonment of up to two years.

Burning tyres, whether by an industrial unit or an individual, can result in a fine of up to Rs500,000 and imprisonment of up to seven years.