ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry on Friday formally inaugurated a vehicle emission testing campaign in Islamabad by offering his car for inspection by the Islamabad Transport Authority (ITA) team using modern equipment.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Chaudhry said reforms were underway in Islamabad on the instructions of the prime minister and the minister of interior.
Along with international standard infrastructure, work is also being done to improve the environment in Islamabad, he added.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Islamabad has been increasing over the past few years, Mr Chaudhry said, adding that the index had started reaching 200.
Campaign begins with testing of govt vehicles; inspection of private vehicles at bus stations and checkpoints in next phase, says state minister
In this regard, the vehicle inspection campaign has been launched to tackle the issue, he said, adding international standard equipment had been arranged for testing. He thanked the Punjab government for sending their trained team. A testing system will be set up near the old parade ground, Mr Chaudhry. He said vehicles that pass the test will be issued a barcode.
The environment is most affected by vehicle smoke and no vehicle emitting smoke will be allowed in Islamabad. Vehicles emitting smoke will be fined, said the minister.
Earlier on Thursday, the ITA launched the campaign to check carbon monoxide emissions in vehicle exhausts.
The capital administration said the campaign, launched in collaboration with the Punjab Environment Protection Department, aims to test vehicles for excessive carbon monoxide emissions.
The inspection drive began with government vehicles, starting with the vehicle of ITA Chairman and Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Irfan Memon. A clearance sticker will be issued to vehicles that pass the emission test.
The head of the Emission Testing System Punjab, Sajid Bashir, briefed the media about the campaign. The inspection uses modern equipment and a QR code system to scan stickers.
The campaign will also inspect all government vehicles at Pakistan Secretariat. Vehicles with up to 6 per cent carbon monoxide emissions will be issued a clearance sticker while those exceeding 6pc will receive a warning.
In the next phase, the authority will inspect private vehicles at bus stations and checkpoints. Failure to comply with the warning will result in action against the vehicle owners, said the ITA chairman.
Brick kilns
Meanwhile, the state minister said no brick kiln was operating in Islamabad except those using zigzag technology. Kilns causing pollution have been shut down, he added.
Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2025
