The Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency Islamabad (Pak-EPA Islamabad), under the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, has warned owners of smoke-emitting vehicles of stringent action across the federal capital, cautioning that any vehicle found releasing excessive emissions will face strict punitive measures.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Pak-EPA Director-General Ms. Nazia Zaib Ali said the agency has intensified its enforcement operations as part of ongoing efforts to curb vehicular pollution, which she described as a major contributor to deteriorating air quality and recurring smog episodes in Islamabad.
She said enforcement teams are carrying out regular inspections on major roads, intersections and high-traffic corridors to identify vehicles emitting excessive smoke. Violators would face on-the-spot fines, confiscation of vehicles, or both, depending on the severity of the offence, she added.
Ms. Ali reminded the public that driving a vehicle emitting smoke beyond permissible limits — particularly the thick black smoke from poorly maintained engines — constitutes an environmental crime under federal environmental laws.
“Let me be very clear: smoke-emitting vehicles will not be allowed to operate in Islamabad under any circumstances,” Ms. Ali warned. “This is not just a regulatory matter — it is a public health emergency. Vehicular smoke is poisoning the air our children breathe. We will take every lawful measure, including heavy fines and confiscation, to stop this environmental crime.”
She said the agency’s heightened vigilance stems from growing alarm over the increasing number of vehicles—particularly diesel buses, trucks, wagons, Qingqi rickshaws and motorcycles—that continue to ply roads without proper maintenance, releasing hazardous emissions that harm both the environment and human health.
Vehicular emissions remain a major source of outdoor air pollution and heat-trapping carbon emissions in urban centres. The smoke released from vehicles contains harmful pollutants such as particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide and unburnt hydrocarbons, all of which degrade air quality and contribute to smog formation.
Particulate matter, especially PM2.5, penetrates deep into the lungs and can enter the bloodstream. Long-term exposure increases the risk of chronic respiratory diseases, heart conditions, stroke and premature death. The World Health Organization has repeatedly stated that air pollution is among the top global environmental health risks, causing millions of premature deaths each year.
Islamabad’s winter months typically bring stagnant air and temperature inversions that trap pollutants close to the ground, intensifying smog episodes. Vehicular smoke, when combined with dust and industrial pollutants, forms thick layers of toxic air that reduce visibility and trigger respiratory illnesses.
Local health experts say smoke from polluting vehicles is a key cause of respiratory distress, chronic cough, asthma attacks, allergies and eye irritation. Children, the elderly, and individuals with cardiac or pulmonary diseases face heightened risks. Prolonged exposure can impair lung development in children, while medical specialists warn of increased risks of heart attacks and worsening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Public health data also links vehicular pollution with higher rates of bronchitis, pneumonia and certain cancers.
“People often fail to realise that the smoke coming from a single vehicle affects hundreds of people around it,” said Mohammad Saleem Shaikh, Media Spokesperson for the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination. “Every plume of black smoke is a toxic cloud carrying disease. This is why we are urging the public to cooperate because protecting air quality is protecting lives.”
He urged residents of Islamabad and nearby rural areas to get their vehicles tested and certified at Pak-EPA-approved emission testing laboratories. Vehicles operating without valid certificates would face fines, confiscation or both, he said.
Mr. Shaikh also advised regular engine maintenance, timely oil changes and the use of quality fuel, noting that these practices reduce emissions, improve fuel efficiency and extend vehicle life.
Citizens seeking further information may contact the Pak-EPA office at 051-9250713 or visit Plot No. 42, Street No. 8, Sector H-8/2, Islamabad, he said.
Meanwhile, Ms. Ali stressed that addressing air pollution cannot be left solely to enforcement teams. She called on citizens to act responsibly by cooperating during inspections, maintaining smoke-free vehicles, reporting polluting vehicles and encouraging adherence to environmental laws.
“Cleaner air is a shared national responsibility,” she said. “If citizens cooperate with us, we can significantly reduce pollution levels and protect the health of millions.”
Echoing this, Mr. Shaikh said a healthy and environmentally secure Islamabad was achievable only through collective effort. “When people maintain their vehicles and follow environmental laws, they are safeguarding not just their own families but the entire community,” he remarked.
He reiterated that by following emission standards and supporting Pak-EPA’s enforcement drive, residents could help reduce pollution and contribute to a more livable, healthier capital.
