For the past week, the air quality in Lahore, the provincial capital, has consistently been ranked the worst in the world.
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quality → rank → world
A recent report also stated that Lahore’s average PM2.5 concentration — the amount of fine particulate matter — was eight times the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) guidelines.
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concentration → state → matter
Smog has consistently been a problem in Punjab and the provincial government has cracked down on activities contributing to the phenomenon.
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government → crack → phenomenon
One of these steps involves the emission testing certification of vehicles.
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One → involve → vehicles
Speaking to Dawn, Environment Protection Agency (EPA) spokesperson Sajid Bashir said that last year, the department conducted emission testing of vehicles, under which approximately 300,000 were tested.
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300,000 → speak → which
“However, since vehicle emission testing falls within the mandate of the transport department, the project has now been referred back to the department, which is operating it through the Private Vehicle Inspection and Certification System (PVICS),” he said.
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he → fall → System
According to the provincial transport department’s website, the system’s primary purpose is “to ensure road safety by systematically verifying that vehicles meet strict mechanical and environmental fitness standards”.
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vehicles → accord → standards
Here is a guide for ensuring that your vehicle is not contributing to the devastating smog currently descending over Punjab.
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vehicle → ensure → Punjab
First of all, you should check whether you actually need the certificate.
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you → check → certificate
Under the information provided by the provincial transport authority, motor car owners are exempt based on their engine capacity and date of manufacture: 1,000cc, exempt for five years from the date of manufacture; 1,001cc to 2,000cc, exempt for six years from the date of manufacture; and above 2,000cc, exempt for seven years from the date of manufacture
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owners → provide → manufacture
Meanwhile, the remaining vehicle owners in Punjab will have to pay between Rs500 and Rs2,000 for emission testing, with the fee determined by engine capacity.
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fee → remain → capacity
The notified fee schedule sets Rs500 for vehicles with engines of up to 1,000cc, Rs800 for those above 1,000cc and up to 1,500cc, Rs1,000 for vehicles above 1,500cc and up to 2,500cc, Rs1,500 for those above 2,500cc and up to 4,500cc, and Rs2,000 for vehicles with engines exceeding 4,500cc.
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schedule → notify → 4,500cc
Citizens are also required to bring their vehicle’s original registration documents for the testing process.
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Citizens → require → process
And it is always a good idea to have your original Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) with you.
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it → have → you
Step 2: Visit an authorised emission-testing centre
Vehicle owners are required to take their vehicles to an authorised testing centre with the necessary documentation.
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owners → visit → documentation
The Punjab government has established 28 vehicle emission-testing centres in Lahore under a public-private partnership model.
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government → establish → model
Affiliated centres are also located in Sheikhupura, Rawalpindi, Attock, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Gujranwala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sahiwal, Sargodha, Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin, Toba Tek Singh, Mianwali, Vehari, Lodhran, Chiniot, Nankana Sahib, Khanewal, Muzaffargarh, Chakwal, Hafizabad, Pakpattan, Layyah and Jhang.
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centres → locate → Sheikhupura
Step 3: Computerised testing
At the centre, the officials will enter the vehicle’s registration details into the system.
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officials → enter → system
A photograph of the vehicle is also taken and linked to the registration record.
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photograph → take → record
The vehicle is then connected to the emission testing equipment.
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vehicle → connect → equipment
Separate testing procedures are used for petrol and diesel vehicles; the machines measure exhaust emissions at different engine speeds, recorded in revolutions per minute.
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machines → use → minute
The complete testing process takes approximately two to three minutes.
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process → take → minutes
The inspection is computerised, with no manual intervention in recording or generating the test results.
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inspection → computerise → results
The computerised inspection equipment is used to assess the vehicle’s roadworthiness and compliance with applicable safety and environmental standards.
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equipment → use → standards
The tests cover braking performance, wheel alignment, suspension, headlights, tyres, mechanical condition, exhaust emissions and noise levels.
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tests → cover → performance
A vehicle meeting the prescribed standards is then issued a fitness certificate.
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vehicle → meet → certificate
What happens if your vehicle fails the test?
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vehicle → happen → test
If the vehicle fails the test, the owner must rectify the identified deficiencies.
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owner → fail → deficiencies
After the necessary repairs, the vehicle must be reassessed.
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vehicle → reassess → repairs
However, this time, motorists are only required to pay half of the prescribed testing fee.
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motorists → require → fee
Step 3: Receive the report
The machine automatically generates a test report once the inspection is completed.
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inspection → receive → report
The digital report is then shared with the EPA, Punjab Transport Authority and National Engineering Services Pakistan.
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report → share → EPA
Vehicles meeting the prescribed emission standards are issued a pass sticker/certificate.
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Vehicles → meet → certificate
The certificate remains valid for one year, according to the policy information provided.
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certificate → remain → information
Owners should retain the certificate or sticker as proof of compliance.
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Owners → retain → compliance
Keep in mind
The Punjab government had initially set Oct 15 as the deadline for vehicle emission testing.
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government → keep → testing
However, the deadline was later extended to Nov 15 and has now been pushed to Dec 31.
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deadline → extend → Dec
Remember, vehicles that fail to obtain an emission certificate may face challans and fines for non-compliance after the deadline.
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that → remember → deadline
Citizens should also check whether their vehicles require a separate fitness certificate; the emission certificate and vehicle fitness certificate are two separate requirements.
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certificate → check → certificate
Public service and goods transport vehicles must obtain a statutory fitness certificate under the Punjab Motor Vehicle Ordinance, 1965, and Motor Vehicles Rules, 1969.
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vehicles → obtain → Ordinance
…and 1 more, not listed.
The Aporia
