Sindh Government Imposes Ban on Tire Burning to Curb Air Pollution

The Sindh government has imposed a province-wide ban on tire burning and the operation of pyrolysis plants to curb air pollution and protect public health. A new official notification confirms that all activities related to tire burning and pyrolysis have been prohibited, and the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has been directed to immediately cancel all previously issued No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for such plants.

Advisor to the Chief Minister of Sindh, Dost Muhammad Rahimoon, announced that operators of tire pyrolysis units have been given a 30-day deadline to completely halt their operations. Those who fail to comply will face strict penalties, including plant closures, heavy fines, and sealing of facilities. Rahimoon stated that this move aims to create a cleaner and healthier environment for the province by reducing toxic emissions and improving air quality.

The decision follows growing environmental concerns over the harmful effects of tire burning, which releases hazardous chemicals and contributes significantly to smog and respiratory illnesses. Similar enforcement efforts were carried out earlier in Punjab, where the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) discovered several illegal pyrolysis plants operating secretly at night in Lahore. These plants were found to be burning old tires to produce fuel, worsening the city’s smog problem.

Using drone surveillance, authorities identified the hidden facilities and launched joint operations with the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) to dismantle them. Sindh’s recent ban builds on these measures, reinforcing provincial efforts to combat pollution and safeguard citizens’ health through stricter environmental regulation.