LAHORE: The Punjab government has introduced a new law requiring the mandatory scrapping of End-of-Life Vehicles as part of its efforts to reduce air pollution and improve environmental standards across the province. The new legal framework came into effect immediately through a provincial ordinance.
Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan promulgated the Provincial Motor Vehicles (Third Amendment) Ordinance 2026 because the Punjab Assembly was not in session. The ordinance amends the Provincial Motor Vehicles Ordinance, 1965, by adding a separate chapter that defines End-of-Life Vehicles and sets out rules for their disposal.
Under the new law, certain vehicles will now be legally classified as end-of-life. These include vehicles with expired or cancelled registrations. Vehicles that fail mandatory fitness or emission tests and cannot obtain the required certificates will also fall into this category.
The ordinance also covers vehicles that have suffered severe damage due to fire, road accidents, natural disasters, or other major incidents. If the owner declares such a vehicle as scrap, it will also qualify as an end-of-life vehicle under the new regulations.
Vehicle owners will have the option to voluntarily send their vehicles to an authorised scrapping facility. The government has defined scrapping as a complete process that includes depollution, recycling, disposal, recovery of reusable parts, and crushing of non-recyclable vehicle components.
The law requires all End-of-Life Vehicles to be processed only through authorised scrapping facilities. These facilities may be privately operated or established by the Punjab Transport and Mass Transit Department. The provincial government has also been empowered to introduce detailed rules for implementing the new system.
According to the official statement, the main objective of the ordinance is to improve air quality by reducing harmful vehicle emissions. Older and poorly maintained vehicles are considered a major source of pollution in many cities across Punjab.
Officials believe the new legal framework will help remove high-emission vehicles from the roads. This is expected to support cleaner air and create a healthier environment for residents.
The government also said the policy will encourage the transition towards electric vehicles and environmentally friendly public transport. Officials see the ordinance as an important step in modernising Punjab’s transport sector while supporting long-term environmental goals.
Detailed implementation rules will be announced separately. These rules are expected to define vehicle age limits, inspection procedures, emission testing standards, and the responsibilities of authorised scrapping centres.
The upcoming regulations will also explain how vehicle owners can complete the scrapping process and obtain the required documentation after disposal. Authorities aim to make the process transparent and easy to follow.
The policy is expected to affect both private and commercial vehicle owners across Punjab. Businesses involved in vehicle recycling and dismantling may also benefit from the establishment of authorised scrapping facilities.
Environmental experts have long supported stricter policies for ageing vehicles due to their impact on air quality. The government believes the new ordinance will strengthen pollution control efforts while promoting responsible vehicle recycling.
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With the introduction of this legislation, Punjab has taken a significant step towards cleaner transportation. The mandatory disposal of End-of-Life Vehicles is expected to reduce emissions, improve public health, and encourage sustainable transport practices throughout the province.
