Lahore introduces e-challan system to curb littering, waste burning

The overall enforcement setup comprises 75 personnel, including 50 officials divided into two field and supervisory teams., September would serve as a grace period during which violators would be educated and warned rather than fined. Formal penalties would begin from October 1.

The CEO said the authority was not currently considering extending the e-challan system to residential neighbourhoods, where teams would initially focus on educating residents about cleanliness requirements. “We cannot say yet when penalties will be introduced for littering in residential areas,” he said.

During the grace period, enforcement teams operating in commercial areas and along model roads would inform offenders that littering constituted a violation and should not be repeated, he added. The system was formally inaugurated at Liberty Chowk during a ceremony attended by Lahore Deputy Commissioner Capt (retd) Ali Ejaz and Mr Khan.

Officials said anti-littering squads had been deployed on roads, in markets and at commercial centres across the city to identify violations and create awareness about cleanliness regulations. Under the initial arrangement, citizens found violating cleanliness rules would receive warning e-challans without any financial penalty.

Authorities said the primary purpose of the first phase was to educate residents and encourage responsible waste disposal. However, repeated violations would lead to enforcement action and fines under the Punjab Local Government Act, 2025 and the Suthra Punjab Authority Act, 2026.

Littering in public places carries a fine of Rs1,000 to Rs10,000, while failing to maintain cleanliness outside a house, shop or factory may result in a penalty ranging from Rs1,000 to Rs50,000. The use of prohibited plastic bags at shops and shopping malls can attract fines of between Rs1,000 and Rs2,000. Meanwhile, those found burning waste could face fines ranging from Rs100,000 to Rs500,000 as well as imprisonment for up to two years.

The penalties are even stricter for tyre burning. An individual or industrial unit found burning tyres could be fined up to Rs500,000 and sentenced to as much as seven years in prison. To ensure transparency in the collection of penalties, all fines will be paid through banking or digital payment channels, while officials have been barred from accepting cash.