The Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has extended the deadline for vehicle emission tests until August 31, providing the motorists with additional time to meet environmental standards.
The original June 30 deadline was retreated due to an overwhelming response in the testing posts, according to Imran Hamid Sheikh, general director of the EPA Punjab. “The extension is intended to facilitate the public and guarantee a softer test process,” he added.
In the last 50 days, more than 123,000 vehicles have undergone tests throughout the province. Among them, it was found that approximately 2,000 vehicles issued pollutants beyond acceptable limits. The owners of these vehicles have received warnings and have been advised to make the necessary repairs or tune their engines to reduce emissions.
Read: The owners of the vehicles that issue smoke that are given the deadline of 15 days
The emission test is a scientific procedure that measures the levels of toxic gases and particles released from vehicle escapes. Key pollutants evaluated during the test include carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOX) and particles (PM). If a vehicle fails the test, the owner is told to take corrective measures.
According to DG EPA, vehicles manufactured in 2022 or later are exempt from the tests, since they meet the modern euro emission standards and come with built -in emission control technologies.
According to statistics obtained from the Punjab Special Tax Department, the province has 20 million registered motorcycles and five million four -wheeled vehicles, with LaHore only representing 5.2 million motorcycles and 1.3 million four -wheel vehicles.
The EPA has urged vehicle owners to use the extended timeline to contribute to cleaner air. Free test booths have been established in Punjab, including 20 locations in Lahore, where motorists can make their vehicles tested without any additional fee.
This initiative is part of Punjab’s broader strategy to combat air pollution, particularly in LaHore and other urban areas where air quality has become an important public health concern.
Read more: The Government launches the National Electric Vehicle Policy
In a separate development, a few days ago, the Pakistan government launched the new electric vehicle policy (NEVP), whose objective is to stimulate the adoption of electric vehicles (EV) throughout the country.
Muhammad Salem Shaikh, spokesman for the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, declared that the policy is designed to guarantee a fair and inclusive transition to cleaner mobility. The initiative also seeks to reduce the dependence of the country of fossil fuels, promote local innovation and create new green jobs.
“The government is intensifying efforts to promote the adoption of electric vehicles (EV) as a key part of the country’s clean resilience and energy energy agenda,” said Shaikh. Since the transport sector is an important taxpayer to greenhouse gas emissions and urban air pollution, change towards EVs marks a significant movement towards a more sustainable future, healthier and more economically viable.
The NEVP is aligned with the broader strategy to combat air pollution, especially in urban centers such as Lahore, where air quality remains a serious concern.
