Lahore traffic police seek public reports of smoke-emitting vehicles

Lahore City Traffic Police has launched a public outreach drive asking citizens to record and report smoke-emitting vehicles through WhatsApp, as part of efforts to curb smog and air pollution in the provincial capital. Videos can be sent to 0322-5638888 for registration and further action, the city traffic police said in its announcement.

The initiative is aimed at protecting the environment and promoting public cooperation, according to the traffic police, which said maintaining a clean environment is not only a legal requirement but also a collective responsibility. Citizens have been asked to record videos of vehicles emitting excessive smoke and send them to the number via WhatsApp.

The public reporting channel adds to an enforcement campaign already under way across Lahore. In July, Lahore Chief Traffic Officer Syed Abdul Raheem Shirazi announced that the driving licences of motorists operating smoke-emitting vehicles would be suspended. Route permits of commercial vehicles found violating anti-smog rules would also be suspended, he said, adding that strict enforcement was essential to protect public health and the environment.

The CTO said the entry of tractor-trolleys and dumpers carrying sand or soil without protective tarpaulin remained banned in Lahore. A traffic police spokesperson said 1,013 cases had been registered against violators as part of the ongoing anti-smog crackdown. Both the public reporting drive and the July enforcement measures were reported by ProPakistani and ARY News.

To strengthen enforcement, City Traffic Police Lahore has deployed special teams at 12 entry and exit points of the city, along with 45 dedicated enforcement teams conducting inspections and taking action across Lahore. The traffic police has urged citizens to cooperate with these teams and use the WhatsApp reporting line to identify vehicles contributing to poor air quality.