Punjab Launches Green Sticker Initiative to Combat Vehicle Emissions Before Smog Season

In a major environmental initiative, the Punjab Environment Protection Department (EPD) has announced strict new measures to regulate vehicle emissions across the province. As smog season approaches, the department will begin setting up Green Sticker Booths at key motorway interchanges around Lahore, including Babu Sabu, Thokar Niaz Baig, Ravi Toll Plaza, and Kala Shah Kaku.

According to Imran Hamid Sheikh, Director General of Environment Punjab, this step is part of a larger campaign to ensure that only environmentally compliant vehicles are allowed to access high-traffic corridors, especially the Lahore-Islamabad Motorway (M-2). Vehicles will be tested on-the-spot, and those that meet emission standards will receive a Green Sticker, indicating compliance.

Emission Testing Becomes Mandatory at Motorway Checkpoints

The Green Sticker system will function as a gatekeeping mechanism: vehicles without the sticker will be denied motorway entry during the smog season. Officials, including department spokesperson Sajid Bashir, have emphasized that these steps are essential for protecting air quality in Lahore and surrounding areas, which consistently rank among the most polluted cities in the world during winter months.

Construction of the emission monitoring booths is expected to commence within days, and the EPD is planning to add more mobile testing stations across Punjab to reduce bottlenecks and make the process more accessible for the public.

Why This Matters: Public Health and Air Quality?

According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pakistan Air Quality Initiative, Lahore regularly records PM2.5 levels 8–12 times higher than the safe limit during peak smog season. Vehicular emissions are a leading contributor to air pollution, alongside industrial discharge and crop burning.

The new enforcement drive is aimed at reducing pollutants, improving public health outcomes, and fulfilling Pakistan’s commitments under global climate frameworks, such as the Paris Agreement.

What Drivers Need to Know?

• Vehicles will be stopped and tested at major motorway interchanges.
• Compliant vehicles will be issued Green Stickers on the spot.
• Non-compliant vehicles will not be allowed entry into Lahore during high-smog periods.
• Additional testing booths are being deployed to improve accessibility.

Disclaimer:
This article is based on official statements from the Punjab Environment Protection Department and publicly available information. Implementation timelines and enforcement policies may be updated as new government directives are issued. Motorists are encouraged to consult the EPD’s official channels or local traffic authorities for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Afsheen Gohar

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