Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz has approved an extension in the deadline for free vehicle emissions testing, allowing citizens to benefit from the service until August 31, 2025.
The free Emission Testing System (ETS) service was initially set to end on June 30, after which the government had planned to shift responsibility for emissions testing to private vehicle dealerships across Lahore.
However, with the new extension approved by the Chief Minister, the free testing service will continue until the end of August, offering the public more time to get their vehicles tested without any cost.
Earlier, Secretary of the Environment Protection and Climate Change Department, Raja Jahangir Anwar, stated that once the free service concluded, ETS-related operations would be outsourced to authorized dealerships of all vehicle manufacturing companies operating in the city.
These dealerships would be equipped with ETS machines and trained staff to carry out the tests. Citizens would be required to pay Rs. 400 per test at these facilities.
The department had emphasized that this strategy aimed to boost the number of vehicles undergoing emissions checks, improving air quality in Lahore. Raja Jahangir Anwar noted that shifting the service to private dealerships would also enhance efficiency and make the process more convenient for vehicle owners.
People responsible for free testing scheme should visited testing sight and rationalize their decision.
Bigger question
Why are high emission vehicles excluded from testing ?
Because this practice is mainly to bring revenue rather then clean environment.