05 December 2004	Sunday	22 Shawwal 1425

ISLAMABAD, Dec 4: Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pepa) is set to launch its first mobile vehicular emission testing laboratory in the capital by the end of this month, it has been learnt.

In this regard, all arrangements have already been completed. The equipment will be placed on an automobile to carry out random testing of smoke-emitting vehicles at various points in the city, a source said.

In response to the agency's request, the capital police have deputed one inspector and two constables with the mobile testing lab to seek motorists' cooperation towards the new initiative.

"Unfortunately, we as a nation lack a culture of volunteerism and it would be unjustifiable to expect that motorists would be coming by themselves for testing of their vehicles, hence, in the presence of police, it would be easy for the agency to carry out testing," the source said.

He said during checking, red and green stickers would be issued depending upon the condition of a vehicle's engine. Red stickers will be for the vehicles which do not meet Pepa's laid down standards on emissions and need immediate tuning etc. And green stickers will be for the vehicles having sound engines.

Likewise, through this facility, it would be possible to check the chemical composition of visible as well as non-visible smoke, the source said.

The testing will be for both private and commercial vehicles of all categories. For the convenience of commuters, the agency has decided to conduct emission testing of commercial vehicles at their respective depots and that, too, during off-time.