The Punjab government has ordered the mandatory installation of suction hoods in all wedding and banquet halls across the province by January 31.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Director General Dr. Imran Hamid Sheikh issued the provincewide directive, making exhaust ventilation systems compulsory for marriage halls, banquet halls, marquees, and other event venues that operate commercial kitchens or live cooking stations.
Authorities issued the order under the Punjab Environmental Protection Act, 1997, which authorizes the EPA to take measures to control pollution.
Officials said the decision follows an earlier directive issued in October 2025 that required commercial restaurants and barbecue outlets to install similar exhaust systems.
They said wedding venues continued to conduct large-scale cooking operations without adequate regulation, despite producing comparable emission levels.
According to the order, marriage halls and banquet venues frequently carry out high-intensity cooking, grilling, and barbecue activities that generate smoke, grease-laden fumes, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds.
These emissions, especially during the wedding season and winter months, contribute to localized air pollution and smog, affecting nearby residential areas and public health.
Authorities said they will seal wedding halls, banquet halls, and marquees that fail to install suction hoods. Officials added that the order is effective immediately across Punjab and that enforcement will follow a zero-tolerance policy, with no external pressure accepted during action against violators.