# Maryam Nawaz orders end to crop burning, 12-hour road squads and fines for dumping on empty plots

Source: Searchable (https://searchable.pk/news/pakistan/maryam-nawaz-orders-end-to-crop-burning-12-hour-road-squads-and-fines-for)
Type: News article
Author: Searchable Editorial
Published: 6 Nov 2026
Updated: 6 Nov 2026
Retrieved: 6 Nov 2026

> At a review of deputy commissioners, the Punjab CM gave districts three days to fix public hospitals and set a three-step penalty for owners of plots used as rubbish dumps.

**Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has told deputy commissioners to stop crop residue burning completely**, scolding officials in Okara and other districts where it continued, at a meeting on Thursday 5 November to review district performance, [ARY News reported](https://arynews.tv/maryam-nawaz-orders-crackdown-on-crop-residue-burning-across-punjab). Burning rice stubble after the harvest is one of the main sources of the smog that covers Lahore and central Punjab every November.

## The orders, district by district

- **Crop burning:** a complete stop, enforced by deputy commissioners (DCs).
- **Road squads:** dedicated governance and road maintenance squads that must inspect a reported problem and fix it **within 12 hours**.
- **Hospitals:** DCs have **three days** to improve conditions at public hospitals. DCs and assistant commissioners must visit hospitals daily, and hospitals must be deep-cleaned every day.
- **Empty plots used as dumps:** a **three-step penalty**: a warning to the owner first, a heavy fine second, and a formal complaint third.
- **Streets:** working streetlights, covered manholes, painted zebra crossings and safer school crossings; roads washed daily; wall chalking, torn banners and small posters removed; a province-wide drive against encroachments; action on stray dogs.
- **Water and transport:** broken water filtration plants restored, and general bus terminals and Green Bus shelters repaired and cleaned.
- **Plans:** each district to prepare a district economic plan, and DCs to brief students at universities and colleges on government schemes.

## Who was praised and who was not

The CM praised the administrations of **Murree, Gujranwala, Attock, Bahawalpur, Chakwal, Jhelum, Layyah and Sahiwal**, and complained about delays and poor work on beautification projects elsewhere, including changes to approved plans in Rahim Yar Khan. Nankana Sahib was told to finish four beautification plans this month. "Negligence on the part of deputy commissioners and the administration reflects on my reputation," she was quoted as saying.

## What it means for you

- **Smog season:** if you see fields burning, report it to your district administration; the DC is now answerable for it. Check the air in your city before school runs and exercise.
- **Own an empty plot?** Clear it and fence it. A warning will be followed by a fine.
- **A broken streetlight or open manhole** near you should now be fixed within 12 hours of a complaint through the district's channels.

Property owners can also check what they owe with our [property tax calculator](/tools/property/property-tax-calculator).

## Frequently asked questions

**What is the fine for dumping rubbish on an empty plot in Punjab?**

Punjab set a three-step process on 5 November 2026: a warning to the plot owner first, a heavy fine for a second offence and a formal complaint for a third. The fine amount was not announced.

## Sources

- Maryam Nawaz orders crackdown on crop residue burning across Punjab (ARY News): https://arynews.tv/maryam-nawaz-orders-crackdown-on-crop-residue-burning-across-punjab

How to cite: "Maryam Nawaz orders end to crop burning, 12-hour road squads and fines for dumping on empty plots", Searchable, 6 Nov 2026, https://searchable.pk/news/pakistan/maryam-nawaz-orders-end-to-crop-burning-12-hour-road-squads-and-fines-for