Islamabad (Staff Reporter) — Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, and Director General Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA), Nazia Zeb Ali, co-chaired a high-level meeting on Monday at the CDA Headquarters to address smog and strengthen environmental protection efforts in Islamabad.
The meeting was attended by key officials including Member Planning Dr. Khalid Hafeez, Member Engineering Syed Nafeesat Raza, Member Environment Asfandyar Baloch, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Irfan Nawaz Memon, DG Resource Pak-EPA, and other relevant officers from CDA and EPA.
Chairman CDA, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, emphasized that all relevant agencies must work in close coordination with Pak-EPA to implement a comprehensive and effective strategy. He noted that under the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, reducing smog and improving air quality in Islamabad remains a top priority.
Deputy Commissioner Islamabad briefed the meeting on the measures being undertaken to curb smog, particularly within the transport sector, brick kilns, and local industries.
To tackle air pollution caused by vehicular emissions, carbon emission tests are being conducted on vehicles. The data from these tests is being directly shared via a centralized dashboard. Pak-EPA informed the meeting that five certified laboratories in Islamabad are currently performing these tests. Chairman Randhawa instructed the establishment of additional emission testing checkpoints across the city.
Discussions also focused on pollution caused by brick kilns and industries. It was decided that all kilns and industries in Islamabad must transition to modern, eco-friendly technologies. A firm deadline of October 20 was set for all brick kilns to adopt the zigzag technology. Non-compliance after this date will result in strict legal action, including demolition of violators’ facilities.
Chairman Randhawa directed that kilns that fail to upgrade and continue to violate regulations be dealt with under environmental laws. He also emphasized collaboration with Rawalpindi administration to target kilns in boundary areas under a joint strategy.
Pak-EPA updated that one air quality monitoring station is currently operational in Sector H-8, with plans underway to install more across the city to monitor pollution levels effectively.
The meeting also addressed major contributors to smog such as open burning of garbage and dust from construction sites. Chairman Randhawa ordered a strict ban on open burning of waste, with instructions to register FIRs against violators. He further directed all construction sites to implement water sprinkling to control dust and ensure compliance with Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) mitigation measures.
Concluding the meeting, Chairman Randhawa stressed the need for effective coordination among CDA, Pak-EPA, and the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration to provide a clean and healthy environment for the city’s residents. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustainable development and environmental preservation in the federal capital.