Most of the 248 brick kilns in Rawalpindi district have failed to properly install modern, environment-friendly zigzag technology for brick manufacturing. With the alleged backing of some officials of the Environment Protection and Climate Change Department, up to 37 per cent of kiln owners have installed only showpiece zigzag technology equipment, which is not operational and is merely decorative. With the cooperation of the relevant department, these kiln owners reportedly resume traditional brick-kiln operations after sunset, when darkness sets in. Since it is nighttime, the smoke is also less visible. This practice continues until around 5am or 6am. During the daytime, bricks are also being produced, albeit on a limited scale, using the old conventional method. The police and Special Branch have formally identified several such kilns. The failure to install environment-friendly zigzag technology and the release of black, toxic smoke from brick kilns have pushed the air pollution index in Rawalpindi beyond 160. Taking strict notice of the installation of merely showpiece zigzag technology at most brick kilns, Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi Nadeem Nasir has directed all seven assistant commissioners in the district to conduct stringent inspections. He has also ordered them to monitor brick kilns through drones and bulldoze all kilns found emitting smoke. There are around 248 brick kilns in Rawalpindi district. Efforts to ensure the installation of zigzag technology have been under way for the past five years, with notices being issued to kiln owners. However, due to the alleged pro-kiln attitude of officials of the Environment Protection and Climate Change Department, the technology has not been installed at all kilns.