E-challans for littering in Lahore markets

E-challans for littering in Lahore markets.

Key points

• Khalid Hasnain Published September 2, 2026 Updated September 2, 2026 08: 43am.
• The e-challan system was formally introduced at a ceremony at Liberty Chowk attended by Lahore Deputy Commissioner retired Capt Ali Ejaz and Shehryar Arif Khan.
• It is a pilot project limited to the Lahore metropolitan city's 200 commercial markets and major roads, including The Mall, Jail Road and Ferozepur Road.
• Shops and shopping malls discovered using prohibited plastic bags will be fined between Rs1, 000 and Rs2, 000 respectively.
• Under the new system, warnings and awareness messages were being issued from Tuesday and violators would be issued warning e-challans starting Sept 1, 2026, without any fines.

Khalid Hasnain Published September 2, 2026 Updated September 2, 2026 08: 43am. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

LAHORE: The Suthra Punjab Authority (SPA) on Tuesday introduced an e-challan system to penalise littering at public places in Lahore, whereas burning tyres and waste will be dealt highly strictly with fines up to Rs500, 000 with imprisonment.

"It is a pilot project limited to the Lahore metropolitan city's 200 commercial markets and major roads, including The Mall, Jail Road and Ferozepur Road. Initially, the 25 teams have began the e-challan service from Tuesday by issuing warnings to those involved in littering, " Lahore Suthra Punjab Authority CEO Shehryar Arif Khan stated while talking to Dawn.

"The total enforcement staff deputed for the e-challan system consists of as many as 75 people, including 50 divided in two field and supervising teams, " he continued.

According to him, the month of September would be treated as a grace period for the violators who would be formally fined with effect from October 1 onwards. To a question, he remarked that the e-challan system in residential areas was at present not under consideration as the authority's teams would first educate the individuals.

"I cannot say until when we will start penalising the people littering in residential areas, " he continued.

He remarked that while issuing warnings in commercial areas and model roads, the teams, during the grace period, would additionally tell them that they committed a crime which shouldn't be repeated.

Meanwhile, the e-challan system was formally introduced at a ceremony at Liberty Chowk attended by Lahore Deputy Commissioner retired Capt Ali Ejaz and Shehryar Arif Khan.

Briefing the media, the authorities stated that anti-littering squads had been deployed throughout the city's roads, markets and commercial centres to monitor violations and raise public awareness concerning cleanliness laws.

Authorities stated the initial focus would be on educating citizens rather than immediately imposing penalties. Nevertheless, repeated violations of cleanliness regulations would result in legal action and fines.

According to the authorities, residents discovered throwing or burning waste on roads would face heavy fines under the Punjab Local Administration Act, 2025 and the Suthra Punjab Authority Act, 2026. While failure to maintain cleanliness outside a house, shop or factory could attract a fine of Rs1, 000 to Rs50, 000, a fine ranging from Rs1, 000 to Rs10, 000 would be imposed for littering in public places.

Shops and shopping malls discovered using prohibited plastic bags will be fined between Rs1, 000 and Rs2, 000 respectively. According to The authorities, burning waste could result in a fine ranging from Rs100, 000 to Rs500, 000 and imprisonment for up to two years.

Burning tyres, whether by an industrial unit or an individual, may attract a fine of up to Rs500, 000 and imprisonment for up to seven years. All fines would have to be paid through banking or digital channels with authorities barred from accepting cash payments.

"The anti-littering squads have been deployed with the objective of making Lahore a waste-free city. The squads will additionally educate citizens concerning the safe disposal and transfer of waste and inform them regarding the applicable cleanliness laws, " Mr Shehryar remarked. Published in Dawn, September 2nd, 2026.

Khalid Hasnain is a Lahore-based reporter for Dawn. His reporting focuses on Pakistan Railways, Lahore's civic affairs, and the energy and power sector. He can be discovered on X at @KhalidHasnain10.

For now, e-challans for littering in Lahore markets remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.