ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) have asked owners to repair their smoke-emitting vehicles, warning that legal action would be taken against motorists involved in polluting environment.

SSP traffic Sarfraz Virk said protecting and maintaining the environment was a collective responsibility.

He was addressing the participants of a cleanliness awareness walk and waste-picking activity organised by Clean and Green Islamabad Movement (CGIM) and the ITP from Ataturk Avenue to Ayub Chowk. The walk was led by CGIM Chairman Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari and the SSP traffic.

The ITP chief said people walking in parks and on roads should not litter those places as it contributes to pollution. He urged citizens to act responsibly and, along with adhering to traffic rules, take care of environmental preservation and cleanliness in the city. He appreciated the efforts of the CGIM chairman, noting that the awareness walk and waste-picking activity aimed to make Islamabad clean, green, and beautiful, urging all citizens to support the campaign.

Mr Bakhtawari expressed gratitude to the traffic police for supporting the campaign and spreading the message of cleanliness. He said fitness certificates be made mandatory for smoke-emitting vehicles as their emissions contributed to smog. He said CGIM was committed to maintaining the city’s cleanliness and protecting the environment. He urged citizens to avoid throwing garbage on streets and in parks.

The walk commenced from Kashmir House with the participants carrying banners and placards inscribed with messages on cleanliness and environmental conservation. Awareness pamphlets were distributed among citizens.

At the end of the walk, a waste-picking activity was held, where participants cleaned up litter from roadsides and parks. Students actively participated in the event, pledging to take responsibility for protecting the environment for future generations.

A student remarked, “We must provide a clean and green future for our generations, and this is only possible when we make cleanliness part of our daily lives.”

The participants pledged to fulfil their responsibilities in maintaining cleanliness and protecting the environment.

Published in Dawn, December 30th, 2024