ISLAMABAD, Oct 21 (APP): The Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) has fined 13 heavy transport vehicles and issued warnings to 17 others during a fresh vehicular emissions monitoring drive in Islamabad, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
The campaign, launched this week across the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), aims to enforce National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) and tackle winter smog, which is largely exacerbated by vehicular pollution.
At Jhangi Syedan, Stop No. 26, Pak-EPA’s Environmental Monitoring Team, working alongside the ICT Police, inspected 50 vehicles including 22-wheeler trailers, trucks, mini-trucks, and loaders.
While 13 vehicles were penalised for exceeding emissions limits, 17 received warning notices, and 20 vehicles were found compliant with NEQS standards.
Muhammad Saleem Shaikh, Media Spokesperson for the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, told APP that vehicular emissions remain one of the biggest contributors to urban smog. These inspections are part of the government’s commitment to reducing air pollution and protecting public health.”
Officials stressed that citizen cooperation is crucial. “Regular vehicle maintenance and adherence to emission standards by drivers and transport operators make enforcement effective,” Pak-EPA Director Mohsina Tunio said.
The agency warned that vehicles found violating NEQS standards in future inspections could face fines, impoundment, or cancellation of fitness certificates under the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act.
Joint drives with the ICT Administration and Islamabad Traffic Police are set to continue, targeting high-emission transport hubs and city entry points.