mog has become a serious problem in Pakistan, choking major cities every winter. Islamabad, which does not have much industrial activity that contributes to such pollution, still finds itself battling poor air quality. The federal capital has no smoke-belching factories like Lahore or Karachi, so the culprit here none other than vehicle emissions. Every car, motorcycle and dumper adds to the pollution, making the air hard to breathe, especially as winter arrives and temperature inversion traps pollutants close to the ground. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, vehicle emissions are responsible for about 43 per cent of Islamabad’s air pollution.

In 2022, air quality levels in Islamabad frequently crossed the Air Quality Index value of 200, reaching as high as 300 during the peak smog season. For context, any AQI above 150 is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups; values above 200 are harmful to everyone.

This pollution isn’t just a statistic; its effect is felt by every resident of the city. Visibility drops, eyes and throats sting and hospitals see more patients with breathing issues. Children and the elderly are especially vulnerable, but everyone is affected to some extent.

One possible solution is to ban private vehicles, especially high-emission ones like dumpers, motorcycles and older cars. Islamabad, with its sprawling layout and lack of efficient public transport, relies heavily on private vehicles. Every day, thousands of cars and bikes take to the roads, each emitting carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter that pollute the air. Banning these vehicles, at least during peak pollution days, could make a significant difference. Once a major source of harmful emissions is out of the way, the city could breathe a little easier.

There is an alternative to closing educational institutions during these pollution spikes. The solution is to use what we already have: Islamabad’s school buses. Many schools, colleges, universities and various ministries own buses. There are around 1,500 of those. If organised and deployed properly, these buses could function as a temporary public transport system. Studies indicate that Islamabad will need fewer than 400 buses to provide public transport access within 500 metres of every resident. With 1,500 buses at hand, there is more than enough capacity to cover the city, reducing the need for private vehicles and cutting down emissions drastically.

This approach does not just reduce pollution; it addresses several issues at once. By using these buses, we can reduce the financial burden on citizens who currently rely on personal vehicles. Fuel cost for each bus will be offset by removing dozens of cars from the road, leading to significant savings. A report by the World Bank suggests that for every large bus on the road, up to 20 cars can be taken off. That is a 35-40 per cent drop in pollutants per passenger. The solution can work if the buses are managed well and routes are optimised for efficient city coverage.

…vehicle emissions are responsible for about 43 per cent of Islamabad’s air pollution.

Beyond repurposing school buses, Islamabad needs stronger emission controls. Implementing a carbon emission tax on private vehicles could discourage excessive car use and generate funds for maintaining public transportation. Such a tax will not only reduce the number of private vehicles on the road but could also provide a stable revenue source to support and expand the bus system. Many cities around the world have used emission-based taxes to fund eco-friendly initiatives. Islamabad could follow suit. Such a tax could encourage people to think twice before taking out their cars.

Enforcement is key. It need to be strict. There should be regular vehicle inspections and penalties for high-emission cars and motorcycles. Islamabad, unlike Lahore and Karachi, is manageable in this sense. Yet, every winter, smog still blankets the city. A carbon tax combined with a ban on high-pollution vehicles could give Islamabad the fresh start it needs. For residents, the cost of not acting is clear: rising healthcare expenses, missed school days and an overall decline in quality of life.

To address smog, cities worldwide have invested in public transport systems that reduce reliance on private vehicles. Islamabad has the resources already — 1,500 buses, mostly sitting idle in schools and ministries that could be mobilised to serve the public. Cities like Tokyo and Seoul have adopted similar models, using school and corporate buses as public transport during peak hours. Their air quality has improved as a result. Islamabad could replicate these models, focusing on efficient routes and reliable schedules.

Another advantage of this plan is that it preserves the educational schedule. Closing schools disrupts learning and forces parents to find alternative childcare options, which often results in more cars on the road as parents drive children to alternative locations. Studies from Lahore show that when schools close, the city’s traffic volume actually increases by 10-15 per cent as families adjust their routines. So, rather than closing schools, using their transport resources benefits everyone.

If the administration goes ahead with these changes — banning high-emission vehicles, utilising school buses and implementing a carbon tax — the city could see substantial improvement in air quality. Every year, air quality in the city has worsened by nearly 25 per cent largely due to unchecked vehicle emissions. Immediate action could reverse this trend, making the air cleaner and healthier for everyone.

The savings on account of healthcare cost alone are worth the effort. According to the Ministry of Climate Change, smog-related health costs amounted to over $1 billion in 2021 alone. Reducing smog levels by even 20 per cent could yield substantial savings and improve public health outcomes.

Change isn’t easy, but Islamabad’s unique situation demands it. It requires strong, consistent action. For the people of Islamabad, the benefits will be immediate: cleaner air, better health, less traffic.

If we keep waiting, the cost of inaction will continue to rise. Every breath tells us what needs to be done.

The contributor is a professor at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, and a leading voice on social issues in Pakistan. He can be reached at zaman@qau.edu.pk