Authorities in the capital on Monday reviewed measures for smog prevention and environmental protection, and took a number of decisions to curb smog, control air pollution, and safeguard the environment in the federal capital.
Chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Chief Commissioner of Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, and Director General of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA), Nazia Zeb Ali, jointly chaired a meeting at the CDA Headquarters in this regard.
Randhawa emphasised that the relevant departments, in collaboration with Pak-EPA, would ensure the implementation of a comprehensive, joint strategy to prevent smog and maintain a clean environment in the capital.
He reiterated that, in line with the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi, environmental protection and the reduction of air pollution and smog remain top priorities.
During the briefing by the Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad, the meeting was informed that several measures were being undertaken in the transport, industrial, and brick kiln sectors to mitigate smog. Vehicle carbon emission tests are being carried out, and data from these tests are shared in real time through an integrated digital dashboard.
Pak-EPA informed the participants that five certified laboratories are currently operational in the capital to conduct vehicle emission testing. The CDA Chairman directed that additional checkpoints be established across Islamabad to strengthen carbon emission monitoring.
The meeting also discussed strategies to reduce pollution caused by brick kilns and industries. It was decided that all brick kilns and industrial units in Islamabad must adopt modern, environmentally friendly technology. A deadline of 20 October 2025 was set for brick kilns to shift to the zigzag system. Strict legal action will be taken against any kiln failing to comply after this date.
Chairman Randhawa further directed that kilns repeatedly violating EPA regulations and contributing to air pollution should be dismantled in accordance with the law. He instructed that the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration coordinate with the Rawalpindi administration to develop a joint strategy against polluting kilns located in the boundary areas.
Pak-EPA also informed the meeting that one Air Quality Monitoring Station is already functional in Sector H-8, while additional stations are planned under an expansion project to provide accurate and up-to-date Air Quality Index (AQI) data across the city.
Addressing other major contributors to smog and pollutionsuch as open-air waste burning and dust from development projectsthe meeting decided to impose a complete ban on waste burning, with immediate legal action to be taken against violators.
To control dust pollution, the Chairman directed that all ongoing development projects must have effective water sprinkling systems and ensure full compliance with mitigation measures outlined in their Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs).
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