THE Punjab government’s decision to restrict future official vehicle purchases to electric and hybrid models represents a significant policy shift in a province choking on toxic smog. Given the limited size of the official fleet and the gradual pace of its replacement, the move is unlikely to deliver immediate improvement in air quality. Nevertheless, by committing itself to electric and hybrid vehicles as part of its smog mitigation strategy, Punjab is sending a strong market signal to both automakers and car owners to make the shift away from petrol and diesel-powered transport towards cleaner alternatives. By linking future permissions for petrol pumps with the installation of EV charging stations, the government will fast-track the expansion of charging infrastructure and tackle the main impediment to faster EV adoption: range anxiety.

The importance of transition to EVs cannot be overstated. While crop burning is often blamed for toxic air quality in the province — especially in cities like Lahore — several reports conclude that the transport sector is perhaps the more permanent and leading contributor to smog conditions. Transport emissions can account for 39pc to 43pc of air pollution depending on the city, according to some assessments. These emissions are driven by a combination of low-quality fuels and aging vehicle fleets. The problem is complicated by traffic congestion, the reports argue, increasing exhaust emissions in urban areas. While the steps taken by Punjab, such as gradual electrification of mass transport systems in major cities and the distribution of thousands of e-bikes among girls are commendable, the lax enforcement of its plans to crack down on smoke-emitting vehicles is concerning. The transition towards electric mobility will take a long time, official intentions and interventions notwithstanding. Hence, the push for electric transition in the province must be accompanied by sustained, tough actions against polluting petrol and diesel vehicles if the authorities want to deliver breathable air to citizens.

Published in Dawn, January 16th, 2026