The report, titled “Consolidated Report on Vehicular Emission Monitoring and NEQS Compliance within Islamabad Capital Territory,” underscores the worsening challenge of air pollution driven by rapid urbanisation, industrial growth, and the rising number of vehicles on the city’s roads.
The week-long enforcement campaign, which concluded on October 30, identified ageing diesel trucks, long-haul trailers, loaders, and diesel-powered passenger buses as the main offenders.
These vehicles were found emitting pollutants well above the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) limits, primarily due to poor engine maintenance and the use of low-grade fuel, said Muhammad Saleem Shaikh, spokesperson for the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, in a statement issued on Sunday.
“Emissions from ageing diesel-fuelled heavy vehicles are a major contributor to smog formation and respiratory illnesses in Islamabad,” warned Shaikh.
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The enforcement operation was led by Dr Zaigham Abbas, Deputy Director (Labs/NEQS), and Binyameen, Deputy Director (R&I), under the supervision of Ms Nazia Zeb Ali, Director General of Pak-EPA. A total of 100 heavy-duty vehicles — including diesel trucks, loaders, and public buses — were inspected for smoke opacity, a key indicator of incomplete fuel combustion and particulate emissions.
Sharing the report’s findings, Dr Zaigham Abbas noted that the testing revealed alarming levels of non-compliance among heavy vehicles.
“Our analysis shows that 20 per cent of the 100 vehicles tested — roughly one in every five — failed to meet NEQS emission limits,” he said. “These results highlight the urgent need for stricter maintenance practices and more frequent monitoring of diesel-powered vehicles to safeguard public health and the environment.”
He explained that non-compliance was largely the result of poor engine condition, inadequate servicing, and the use of substandard fuel. The smoke opacity levels recorded were far above permissible limits, indicating incomplete combustion, a major cause of fine particulate matter emissions.
According to Pak-EPA officials, fines were imposed on 21 violators, while three vehicles were impounded due to severe breaches. The owners were directed to undertake immediate engine maintenance to bring their vehicles into compliance with environmental regulations.
Dr Abbas further noted that several non-compliant vehicles belonged to both public and private sector organisations, describing the situation as evidence of “a systemic neglect of vehicle maintenance and environmental responsibility.”
Meanwhile, Shaikh stressed that vehicular emissions remain one of the leading causes of Islamabad’s deteriorating air quality, with diesel-powered transport identified as the largest source of black carbon and particulate matter.
“These emissions pose serious risks to both human health and the city’s ecological balance,” he said.
The report also calls for a comprehensive review of the vehicle fitness certification system, urging the relevant federal authorities to align inspection standards with NEQS for exhaust and noise emissions to ensure uniform compliance across testing centres and workshops.
Reaffirming Pak-EPA’s commitment to tackling vehicular pollution, Director General Nazia Zeb Ali announced that regular emission monitoring drives would continue, alongside public awareness campaigns and enhanced coordination with the Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) to promote environmentally responsible transport operations.
“Clean air is a fundamental right,” Ali said. “It can only be achieved if all stakeholders work collectively towards the shared goal of clean air for all. Ensuring compliance with environmental standards is not merely a regulatory task — it is essential for protecting public health and preserving Islamabad’s ecological integrity.”