The Punjab government has announced a major policy shift as it prepares to phase out petrol-powered motorcycles across the province. The decision came during a special meeting of the cabinet committee on smog control chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif in Lahore.
Officials confirmed that the production of petrol-powered motorcycle rickshaws will be banned first, followed by a gradual halt in the manufacturing of petrol-powered motorcycles.
During the meeting, the provincial government approved several measures to improve air quality and reduce environmental pollution. It was decided that government departments would now purchase only electric or hybrid vehicles, including electric motorcycles, to support the transition toward cleaner transportation. A complete ban on washing vehicles with water at home was also introduced to conserve resources.
The cabinet committee further decided to install color-coded waste bins across Punjab to match modern global standards. Authorities will impose strict punishments on those who burn plastic or any material that releases harmful smoke, with instructions to avoid any leniency where public health is at risk.
In another key development, the meeting approved the setup of vehicle testing workshops under a public-private partnership model. These workshops will regularly inspect vehicles that produce smoke beyond the allowed limit. Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb provided a detailed briefing on the province’s new smog control strategy and highlighted recent progress.
She revealed that Punjab has established its first advanced air quality monitoring network, supported by an AQI forecast system to identify smog conditions in advance.
According to the briefing, incidents of crop burning around Lahore have dropped by 88 percent due to drone surveillance and satellite monitoring. A quick response force has also been created to take immediate action when violations occur.
The province has launched its first eco chatbot along with a mobile app and public dashboard to help citizens track air quality. Currently, 41 monitoring systems are active in 18 districts, with plans to add 100 more sensors next year. Through Punjab’s emission testing system, 300,000 vehicles have already been checked for pollution levels.
A smog war room has also been set up at the Punjab Safe Cities Authority, where 8,500 CCTV cameras monitor industries, car wash stations, and dust-prone areas.
In other news read more about Punjab to Install Smart Water Meters Across Lahore
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif appreciated the efforts of the teams involved and expressed satisfaction with the ongoing environmental improvement campaign.
