As Islamabad braces for the onset of its notorious smog season, the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) has announced a sweeping crackdown on smoke-emitting vehicles, set to begin on November 17, 2025. This decisive action, reported by the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) and echoed across state media, marks one of the most comprehensive efforts yet to curb the capital’s mounting air pollution crisis.
The campaign, described as both strict and far-reaching, will deploy surprise inspections, on-the-spot emission tests, fines, and even the impoundment of vehicles found violating emission standards. The crackdown is a collaborative initiative, bringing together Pak-EPA, the Islamabad Police, the Islamabad Transport Authority (ITA), and the Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP), according to APP. Their shared mission: to safeguard public health and environmental quality before air quality deteriorates further during the smog season, which typically begins in late October, peaks from November to January, and lingers through February.
Why the urgency? Smog in Islamabad is no ordinary seasonal nuisance. As reported by APP and corroborated by state media, it’s caused by a toxic cocktail of crop burning, vehicular emissions, and industrial pollution. The consequences are severe—harming health, reducing visibility, and degrading air quality across the city. Children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions are particularly vulnerable, but no one is truly immune. Smog also damages crops and undermines the city’s economic productivity, diminishing the quality of life for millions.
Vehicular emissions, in particular, are singled out as one of the top contributors to Pakistan’s urban air pollution. According to the EPA, Pakistan’s cities routinely rank among the world’s most polluted, with Islamabad no exception. The government’s strategy targets the root of the problem: vehicles spewing clouds of smoke, often due to poor maintenance or outdated engines.
“Protecting ourselves, our families, and our environment from the harmful effects of air pollution and smog is a collective responsibility,” stressed Muhammad Saleem Shaikh, spokesperson for the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, in a statement to APP. His words underscore the campaign’s dual focus on enforcement and public education. “This campaign is not only about enforcement but also awareness,” Shaikh explained. “Public education efforts are underway to encourage voluntary compliance and ensure cleaner air for Islamabad’s residents.”
The crackdown will be highly visible and citywide. Vehicles will be checked at both static centers and mobile inspection points, with key locations including D-Chowk near Old Parade Ground, F-9 Park, and major entry and exit routes such as the Islamabad Expressway. Surprise inspections are designed to catch violators off guard, while on-the-spot emission tests will measure exhaust pollutants like carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides—substances known to pose grave health risks.
Those found exceeding permissible smoke emission limits face stiff penalties. According to the EPA, authorities will not hesitate to fine or even impound vehicles that flout the rules. The enforcement teams, working in close coordination with the city’s police and transport authorities, will have the power to seize vehicles on the spot if they’re found to be major offenders.
But it’s not all about punishment. The EPA is urging all vehicle owners to get their vehicles tested before November 17 and obtain an official clearance sticker to avoid penalties. Testing points are already operational at various locations, and details can be obtained by contacting the Pak-EPA office at 051-9250713 during working hours. The agency is also encouraging motorists to maintain their vehicles regularly, use public transport where possible, and avoid unnecessary journeys—all practical steps to minimize emissions.
“We urge citizens to avoid unnecessary use of vehicles, use public transport, ensure regular maintenance to minimize smoke emissions, and refrain from burning waste or leaves in open spaces,” Shaikh emphasized. The EPA’s message is clear: everyone has a role to play. The campaign, in addition to enforcement, is about fostering a culture of environmental stewardship among Islamabad’s residents.
This isn’t the first time authorities have sought to address vehicular emissions in the capital. In June 2025, Pakistan began mandatory emission testing for all vehicles entering Islamabad, measuring key pollutants to ensure compliance with environmental standards. This move laid the groundwork for the current crackdown, providing data and infrastructure for more rigorous enforcement as the smog season approaches.
The timing of the campaign is no accident. Smog season in Islamabad is a recurring environmental disaster, with pollution levels spiking as temperatures drop and air circulation stagnates. The season’s arrival is marked by a visible haze, a sharp increase in respiratory illnesses, and warnings from health officials to stay indoors. According to the EPA, the combination of vehicular emissions, industrial pollutants, and the burning of waste and crop residues creates a perfect storm for hazardous air quality.
Public health experts warn that the stakes couldn’t be higher. Prolonged exposure to smog can trigger asthma attacks, exacerbate chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and even reduce life expectancy. The economic costs are also significant, as poor air quality leads to lost productivity and increased healthcare expenses.
The EPA’s current campaign reflects a broader government strategy to tackle these challenges head-on. By focusing on both enforcement and education, authorities hope to not only penalize violators but also encourage a shift in public behavior. The emphasis on voluntary compliance is intended to build community support for cleaner air—a goal that requires buy-in from all sectors of society.
Of course, not everyone is thrilled by the prospect of stricter enforcement. Some motorists worry about the inconvenience of surprise inspections and the potential for fines. Others question whether targeting vehicles alone will be enough, given the role of industrial emissions and crop burning in the city’s air pollution woes. Nevertheless, the EPA insists that tackling vehicular emissions is a critical first step, and that broader efforts are underway to address other sources of pollution as well.
For now, the message from authorities is simple but urgent: get your vehicle tested, maintain it well, and do your part to keep Islamabad’s air clean. As the city gears up for another challenging smog season, the crackdown on smoke-emitting vehicles stands as a visible—and, many hope, effective—response to one of Pakistan’s most pressing environmental crises.
With enforcement teams poised to fan out across the capital and public awareness campaigns in full swing, Islamabad’s residents are being called upon to take collective responsibility for the air they breathe. The success of this campaign, officials say, will depend not just on the threat of fines or impoundment, but on a shared commitment to protecting public health and the environment for generations to come.
