The Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) has launched a comprehensive Action Plan for Vehicular Emission Control in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) to tackle the growing issue of air pollution and smog.
Developed under the supervision of the Ministry of Climate Change in collaboration with the Islamabad Capital Territory Administration, Islamabad Transport Authority, and Islamabad Traffic Police, the plan sets out both short- and long-term strategies to control vehicle emissions, modernize the city’s transport system, and improve air quality.
According to ministry spokesperson Muhammad Saleem Shaikh, vehicular emissions have become one of the main contributors to air pollution in Islamabad, second only to industrial emissions. He explained that these emissions release harmful gases such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and fine particulate matter, which are linked to serious health problems, including respiratory and heart diseases.
“This ambitious plan gives Islamabad a clear roadmap towards cleaner and healthier air,” Shaikh said. “It moves beyond short-term fixes and focuses on enforcement, innovation, and public awareness to ensure long-term impact.”
Short-Term Measures (0–18 Months)
In the first phase of the plan, Pak-EPA and the Islamabad Traffic Police will conduct regular and surprise roadside inspections to enforce the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS).
Vehicle owners will be required to obtain emission compliance certificates, which will be linked to vehicle registration and ownership transfer.
Special attention will be given to diesel-powered vehicles, including buses, trucks, and water tankers, while petrol-run vehicles will be checked for functioning catalytic converters.
The plan also calls for a complete ban on open burning of trash and solid waste, with offenders to be fined under the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act.
Long-Term Measures (18–60 Months)
The second phase focuses on transitioning Islamabad’s transport system toward cleaner fuels and electric mobility.
A Comprehensive Electric Vehicle Promotion Programme will be introduced, featuring:
- Establishment of EV charging stations across Islamabad
- A 10% EV quota in government fleets
- Tax incentives and dedicated EV lanes to encourage adoption
Fuel quality upgrades are also part of the plan, with all fuel stations expected to switch to Euro-5 standard fuels by 2027 and Euro-6 by 2030, aligning Pakistan with international clean fuel benchmarks.
Additionally, a Vehicle Retirement Policy will be implemented to phase out older, high-emission vehicles — particularly those over 10–15 years old. Owners of such cars will be offered financial incentives under a scrappage scheme, while all vehicles older than five years will require mandatory fitness tests.
Environmentally controlled vehicle scrapping facilities will also be established to ensure safe and eco-friendly disposal of outdated vehicles.
A Step Toward a Cleaner Capital
Shaikh emphasised that the success of the plan depends on effective coordination between government agencies and the public.
“If implemented properly, Islamabad will become Pakistan’s first city to align its transport emissions policy with modern global environmental standards,” he said. “It can serve as a model for other cities aiming to combat air pollution and promote sustainable urban living.”
The new vehicle retirement policy might be trying to help the environment, but it doesn’t seem to consider how hard this will be for middle class families. For many, an older car isn’t just a vehicle…it’s how they get to work, take kids to school or handle emergencies. Scrapping a car that’s still running fine isn’t just an inconvenience, it’s a real problem when public transport isn’t reliable or available and buying a new car even if there are loans given by government will add extra financial burden. We need solutions that actually work for people, not just policies that sound good on paper but in practicality will make life much more tough for the middle class.
There is a big “IF”
And this “IF” decides the fate of vehicular emissions.
Development of vehicular emission control plan along with improvement in air quality action plan is not a joke. MOCC&EC is use to submit such superficial plans to competent forums. The plan now developed on the director of honorable NA Committee is just another smoke screen.
Direction