ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will start a crackdown on smoke-emitting vehicles in Islamabad from November 17, 2025, to control rising air pollution before the smog season begins, according to media reports.
Smog in Pakistan is mainly caused by crop burning, vehicle emissions, and industrial pollution. It not only reduces visibility but also harms health and lowers air quality. The smog season usually starts in late October, peaks between November and January, and continues until February.
Earlier in June, the government started emission testing for vehicles entering Islamabad. The tests check exhaust pollutants such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides to ensure vehicles meet environmental standards.
During the upcoming crackdown, EPA teams will conduct surprise checks across the capital. Vehicles that fail emission tests will face fines or impoundment, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).
“This campaign is not only about enforcement but also about awareness,” said Muhammad Saleem Shaikh, spokesperson for the Ministry of Climate Change. He added that the government is running public awareness campaigns to promote voluntary compliance and encourage citizens to help ensure cleaner air for the city.
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“Protecting our health, families, and environment from the harmful effects of pollution is a shared responsibility,” Shaikh emphasized.
Pakistan’s major cities regularly rank among the most polluted in the world, with vehicle emissions being one of the main causes. Experts warn that this level of pollution poses a serious threat to public health, affects the economy, and lowers the quality of life for millions.
Shaikh urged all vehicle owners to get their vehicles tested before the crackdown begins to avoid penalties. He also advised citizens to limit unnecessary travel, use public transport, maintain vehicles properly, and avoid burning waste or leaves in open areas.
While the smog season has been officially announced from October 15, 2025, to January 15, 2026, the Department of Environmental Protection and Climate Change has already taken several pre-emptive measures in the Rawalpindi Region and Islamabad district.
The department has banned brick kilns without zig-zag technology, stone-crushing machinery, and the burning of tyres, crop residues, waste, and plastics. It has also prohibited smoke emissions from vehicles, factories, large bakeries, and industrial units.
Violators will face FIRs, imprisonment from six months to two years, and fines between Rs200,000 and Rs2 million.
Anti-smog operations have begun across the Rawalpindi Division and the twin cities. All 258 brick kilns in the division and Islamabad will remain closed from November 15 to January 15.
Awareness campaigns are being carried out for schools and institutions alongside enforcement drives against smoke-emitting vehicles and factories, which began on October 6. Brick kiln owners have been strictly told not to operate without eco-friendly zig-zag technology.
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Air quality monitoring will start next week, while the Agriculture Department has been directed to prevent crop burning. The Regional Transport Authority and Traffic Police have also been instructed to take strict action against polluting vehicles, including their impoundment.
Additionally, all government and private schools have been ordered to ban outdoor sports and events from October 6. Schools must run awareness campaigns for students, teachers, and parents about the health risks of smog, encouraging the use of masks, increased water intake, and reduced outdoor exposure, especially for children with asthma or breathing problems.
These campaigns must be shared on social media and reported to the concerned authorities. Schools are also instructed to avoid outdoor assemblies, keep classrooms clean and well-ventilated, ensure proper waste disposal, and ban the burning of rubbish.
A record of students with respiratory or heart conditions must be maintained, and teachers should be prepared for emergencies during the smog period.
