Islamabad Gears Up for Cleaner, Smarter Transport

Abdul Samad Tariq

Islamabad: The Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) has launched an ambitious Vehicular Emission Control Action Plan (VECAP) to combat rising air pollution and smog levels in the federal capital. 

The initiative, developed under the supervision of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, marks a significant step toward promoting cleaner and healthier urban air.

The new plan outlines a framework for stricter emissions enforcement, fuel quality improvement, and gradual electrification of transport across the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). It was designed in collaboration with the ICT Administration, Islamabad Transport Authority, and Traffic Police.

According to Muhammad Saleem Shaikh, spokesperson for the Ministry, the initiative provides a “structured, long-term roadmap that moves beyond temporary measures by combining enforcement, innovation, and public engagement.”

He noted that vehicular emissions have become one of the leading contributors to Islamabad’s deteriorating air quality, releasing high levels of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), all of which pose serious risks to public health.

Zero –18 Months

In the initial phase, Pak-EPA and the Islamabad Traffic Police will begin regular roadside inspections to ensure compliance with National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS).

Government transport fleets are required to achieve 100 percent emissions compliance, while private and commercial vehicles will undergo third-party testing through certified laboratories. Compliance certificates will be linked to vehicle registration and ownership transfer, ensuring that only vehicles meeting environmental standards remain on the road.

Public awareness campaigns through television, radio, and digital media will encourage proper vehicle maintenance and discourage the use of smoke-emitting vehicles. Recent monitoring drives resulted in 215 vehicles being fined and 32 impounded for exceeding emission limits.

Special focus will be placed on diesel-run buses, trucks, and water tankers, while petrol vehicles will be inspected for functioning catalytic converters. Additionally, the open burning of solid waste has been strictly banned, with penalties enforced under the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act.

“Cleaner air cannot be achieved through enforcement alone,” Mr Shaikh emphasized. “Citizens, institutions, and transporters must play their part in promoting cleaner mobility and sustainable practices.”

18–60 Months

The second phase of the plan aims to transform Islamabad’s transport network through a Comprehensive Electric Vehicle Promotion Programme (EVPP).

Key components include:

• Establishing electric vehicle charging stations across the city.
• Introducing a 10 percent EV quota for government fleets.
• Offering tax incentives and dedicated EV lanes to encourage adoption.

A Fuel Quality Upgradation Initiative will also support the shift to Euro-5 fuels by 2027 and Euro-6 by 2030, aligning local standards with international benchmarks.

The plan further proposes a Vehicle Retirement Policy to phase out older, high-emission vehicles. Owners of vehicles older than 10–15 years will be encouraged to retire them through financial incentives, while mandatory fitness tests will apply to all vehicles over five years old.

Mr Shaikh described the initiative as part of Pakistan’s broader efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable urban mobility. “The ultimate goal is to make Islamabad a model city for clean and climate-smart transport,” he said.

Collaborative Implementation

Successful implementation will depend on close coordination among Pak-EPA, the ICT Administration, Excise and Taxation Department, Capital Development Authority (CDA), Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), and the Islamabad Traffic Police.

Mr Shaikh underlined the importance of “sustained institutional support, effective cooperation, and active citizen participation” in achieving the plan’s objectives.

If executed effectively, the Vehicular Emission Control Action Plan could make Islamabad the first city in Pakistan to align its transport emissions policy with modern international environmental standards — potentially setting a precedent for other urban centers nationwide.