Parliamentary Committee Orders Action Plan to Tackle Outdated Vehicle Emission Standards.
Pakistan’s Parliamentary Committee on Climate Change has directed the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination to prepare an urgent action plan to update the country’s outdated vehicle emission standards. The committee expressed serious concern over the alarming levels of air pollution caused by unregulated and poorly maintained vehicles across major cities.
During a recent session, members of the committee highlighted that Pakistan still relies on decades-old Euro-II emission standards, while most developed countries have already advanced to Euro-VI or higher. Lawmakers stressed that these outdated regulations are a major contributor to smog, health issues, and environmental degradation, especially in urban centers such as Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad.
Officials from the Ministry admitted that the current emission control framework is insufficient to tackle rising pollution levels. The committee urged immediate collaboration with the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and automobile manufacturers to ensure the introduction of cleaner fuel and eco-friendly technology in the transport sector.
Environmental experts welcomed the move, emphasizing that without stricter vehicle emission laws, Pakistan will continue to face severe air quality deterioration and public health crises. They also called for better monitoring systems, periodic vehicle inspections, and penalties for non-compliance
The Parliamentary Committee’s directive marks a significant step toward sustainable environmental governance. If implemented effectively, the revised emission standards could play a crucial role in reducing smog, protecting public health, and aligning Pakistan’s policies with international climate commitments.
