On November 4, 2025, the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) carried out a day-long vehicular emissions monitoring operation at T-Chowk near Rawat on the Islamabad Expressway in partnership with the Islamabad Traffic Police. The activity targeted compliance with the National Environmental Quality Standards for motor vehicle exhaust and noise across the Islamabad Capital Territory.
A dedicated Pak-EPA team, led by Dr. Zaigham Abbas, Deputy Director (Lab/NEQS), and Mr. Binyameen, Deputy Director (R&I), operating under the direction of the Director General Pak-EPA, focused inspections on heavy-duty diesel vehicles, particularly those more than ten years old. Monitoring teams measured smoke opacity and other emission indicators to assess adherence to vehicular emissions limits set by NEQS.
Field readings showed that a significant number of vehicles exceeded permissible smoke opacity thresholds. Enforcement teams issued on-the-spot fines to violators and instructed drivers and fleet operators to undertake immediate tuning and maintenance to reduce emissions. Inspectors also noted many vehicles operating without valid fitness certificates, highlighting gaps in vehicle oversight and registration compliance.
Pak-EPA emphasized that addressing noncompliance will require coordinated action. The agency has initiated engagement with the Islamabad Transport Authority, the Excise and Taxation Department ICT, and the Islamabad Traffic Police to design a comprehensive strategy for ongoing vehicular emissions monitoring, enforcement and public outreach in the capital region.
Officials said the initiative will prioritize heavy-duty diesel fleets and older vehicles that contribute disproportionately to roadside pollution, and will combine on-the-spot enforcement with follow-up inspections and regulatory coordination to improve air quality and roadworthiness across ICT.
