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 across the federal capital. The campaign, which is set to begin on October 17, 2025, according to statements from the agency and reported by APP, marks one of the city’s most ambitious efforts yet to combat the rising tide of air pollution that threatens both public health and the environment every winter.
This initiative is anything but business as usual. It’s a coordinated, citywide operation, jointly executed by Pak-EPA, Islamabad Police, the Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP), and the Islamabad Transport Authority (ITA), all working under the watchful eye of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination. Their goal? To catch smoke-belching vehicles red-handed and hold their owners accountable—before the city’s air turns from hazy to downright hazardous.
“Protecting ourselves, our families, and our environment from the harmful effects of air pollution and smog is a collective responsibility,” stressed Mohammad Saleem Shaikh, spokesperson for the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, in a statement to APP. He underscored the urgency of the campaign, especially as smog season approaches—a period notorious for hazardous air quality, largely driven by vehicular emissions, industrial pollutants, and the open burning of waste and crop residues.
So, what does this crackdown look like in practice? Officials detail that a mix of snap inspections and on-the-spot emissions tests will be carried out at both static testing centers and mobile inspection units strategically placed throughout Islamabad. Key locations include D-Chowk near the old Parade Ground, F-9 Park, and the Islamabad Expressway, as well as major entry and exit routes into the city. The message is clear: if your vehicle is belching smoke, there’s nowhere to hide.
For those caught violating emission limits, the consequences are immediate and severe. Vehicles found exceeding permissible smoke emission standards will face fines on the spot, and in some cases, may be seized right then and there. The authorities aren’t mincing words—this is a zero-tolerance policy, designed to send a clear signal that polluting the city’s air won’t be tolerated any longer.
But it’s not just about enforcement. The campaign also places a strong emphasis on public awareness and voluntary compliance. “This campaign is not only about enforcement but also awareness,” Shaikh said. “Public education efforts are underway to encourage voluntary compliance and ensure cleaner air for Islamabad’s residents.” The government is urging all motorists to take proactive steps: get their vehicles tested for emissions, obtain an official clearance sticker before the crackdown begins, and maintain their vehicles to meet emission standards. For those looking to avoid trouble, Pak-EPA has set up testing points at various locations, and residents can call 051-9250713 during working hours for more information about where to go.
The campaign’s timing is no accident. Every year, as temperatures drop and winter approaches, Islamabad—and much of Pakistan—finds itself grappling with a thick, choking layer of smog. The culprits are well known: exhaust from poorly maintained vehicles, emissions from factories, and the burning of agricultural waste and garbage. The resulting air pollution brings with it a host of health risks, particularly for the city’s most vulnerable residents. Children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions are especially at risk, facing increased chances of asthma attacks, bronchitis, and other serious health complications.
“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 appealed. This call for collective action reflects a broader shift in official messaging—from simply punishing violators to fostering a sense of civic duty and shared responsibility.
Vehicular emissions, according to Pak-EPA and multiple environmental studies, remain one of the top contributors to urban air pollution in Pakistan. In cities like Islamabad, where the number of cars and motorcycles on the road has surged in recent years, the problem has only intensified. The government’s latest crackdown is part of a wider strategy to address these challenges head-on, aiming not just to punish offenders but to instill long-term behavioral change among motorists and the general public.
It’s a strategy that’s gaining traction worldwide. Cities from New Delhi to Beijing have launched similar campaigns, combining tough enforcement with public outreach to tackle the scourge of urban air pollution. The stakes are high: the World Health Organization has repeatedly warned that air pollution is one of the leading environmental health risks globally, responsible for millions of premature deaths each year.
Islamabad’s campaign comes at a critical juncture. As the city’s population grows and development accelerates, the pressure on its air quality continues to mount. The government’s decision to act now—before the smog season reaches its peak—signals a recognition that incremental measures are no longer enough.
Of course, the crackdown isn’t without its critics. Some residents worry about the inconvenience of random inspections and the potential for overzealous enforcement. Others argue that focusing solely on vehicles misses the broader picture, pointing to industrial emissions and the widespread burning of agricultural waste as equally pressing problems. Still, most agree that the current trajectory is unsustainable, and that bold action is needed to avert a public health crisis.
For its part, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination insists that the crackdown is just one piece of a larger puzzle. Officials point to ongoing efforts to regulate industrial emissions, promote cleaner fuels, and encourage the use of public transportation. Yet, as Shaikh and his colleagues are quick to remind the public, lasting change will require everyone’s participation—not just government agencies, but ordinary citizens as well.
As the October 17 start date approaches, Islamabad’s residents are being urged to take heed. Get your vehicle checked, pick up that clearance sticker, and think twice before lighting that pile of leaves. The message from authorities is unmistakable: the days of unchecked pollution are numbered, and the health of the city—and its people—hangs in the balance.
With the crackdown poised to begin, Islamabad stands at a crossroads—one where the choices made in the coming weeks could shape the city’s air, and its future, for years to come.
