Islamabad launches anti-smoke campaign to curb rising air pollution

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - The Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) has launched a stringent crackdown against smoke-emitting vehicles in Islamabad, warning that violators will face immediate legal action.

According to the agency, the operation is part of an urgent effort to curb rising pollution levels that are increasingly endangering public health in the federal capital.

Inspection teams have been stationed at major roads and intersections to identify vehicles, particularly ageing buses, trucks and motorcycles, releasing excessive fumes.

Director General Nazia Zaib Ali stated that roadside checks have been intensified to ensure that no vehicle with harmful emissions remains on the road. She said motorists caught operating smoke-emitting vehicles will be fined on the spot, and in some cases, their vehicles may even be impounded.

The DG emphasised that releasing thick black fumes due to poor maintenance constitutes an environmental offence under federal law. She added that the deteriorating air quality in Islamabad has made decisive action unavoidable, especially with the increasing presence of diesel-run vehicles and rickshaws emitting hazardous pollutants.

Officials noted that emissions containing particulate matter, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide play a major role in the formation of smog and the rise of respiratory illnesses during winter. Experts further explained that stagnant winter air traps these pollutants near the ground, while a combination of vehicular smoke, dust and industrial emissions forms toxic smog layers that reduce visibility and trigger breathing difficulties.