Islamabad administration imposes restrictions to control smog

The Islamabad Capital Territory Administration (ICTA) imposed restrictions to control smog and air pollution, closing all block kilns and factories that emit smoke.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Islamabad Irfan Nawaz Memon held a meeting with Assistant Commissioners, the Islamabad Transport Authority (ITA), and the Excise Department, outlining strict steps to curb harmful emissions across the city.

According to the decisions taken in the meeting, factories that emit smoke will be temporarily shut down while all brick kilns will remain closed until further notice to help reduce smog levels. Meanwhile, the smoke-emitting vehicles will be banned from the roads in Islamabad Capital Territory.

Furthermore, the burning of garbage, leaves, or any other materials outdoors is banned and activities that harm the environment will face restrictions. On the other side, the Islamabad Transport Authority (ITA) has been conducting regular inspections to enforce these measures.

During a recent check led by the ITA Secretary, several vehicles at the vegetable market were checked for emissions.

In the assessment, nine vehicles were penalized for extreme smoke releases, while warning letters were issued to 27 others. Daily operations are now in place to monitor vehicles across the city, ensuring adherence to emission standards.

DC Irfan Memon stated that these measures are being implemented as a defensive step to control the city’s air pollution levels before they escalate into severe smog conditions. The initiative aims to create a cleaner, healthier environment for residents.