LAHORE – For tens of thousands across Punjab, an old car is not just a ride; it is the ride to work, the school runs for children, the delivery vehicle, and even a family asset. But that reality could begin to change as the Punjab government is preparing a major plan to gradually phase out vehicles older than 20 years as part of its fight against deadly smog and air pollution.
While officials insist there will be no overnight ban, the proposed policy signals the beginning of the end for thousands of ageing cars, motorcycles, rickshaws, buses and trucks that have ruled Pakistan’s roads for decades. For millions of owners, one question now looms large: Will my vehicle still be allowed on the road?
The government is not pulling old vehicles off the roads tomorrow. Instead, the transition will unfold over nearly a decade, with a vehicle’s registration date, not its manufacturing year, determining whether it falls under the policy.
The first step begins in 2026, when Lahore and Faisalabad will test a digital system linking the Excise Department, PITB and traffic police to identify ageing vehicles.
But by 2028, older vehicles could start disappearing from parts of major cities as Low Emission Zones (LEZs) come into force. Cameras, digital records and smart enforcement systems are expected to decide which vehicles can enter busy commercial areas, and which must stay out.
By early 2030s, the restrictions are expected to spread across Punjab, eventually covering commercial vehicles older than 20 years and later privately owned cars as well. The people most likely to feel the impact are not luxury car owners. They are the rickshaw driver who has spent years paying off his vehicle.
The delivery rider who depends on an ageing motorcycle to earn a daily wage. The truck owner transporting goods between cities. The family that simply cannot afford to buy a newer vehicle.
Punjab has around 24.5 million registered vehicles, including more than 20.5 million motorcycles. Many of these older vehicles belong to people who have no easy way to replace them. If city restrictions expand, thousands could lose access to the busiest routes where they earn their living. Even before restrictions officially begin, owners may face another painful reality.
As buyers anticipate future bans, the resale value of older vehicles could tumble, making them harder to sell and worth far less than they are today. Owners may also find themselves spending more on repairs, fuel and maintenance while facing stricter roadworthiness checks and possible digital fines once enforcement begins.
Punjab also plans to introduce voluntary scrapping programme instead of forcing immediate removals. People who surrender old vehicles could qualify for discounts on electric vehicles, subsidised financing, lease-to-own schemes and special support for low-income households replacing motorcycles or rickshaws.
Those switching to electric vehicles are also expected to receive generous incentives, including major reductions in registration and token taxes, priority entry into Low Emission Zones, dedicated parking spaces and other benefits.
Transport is responsible for nearly 39 percent of urban emissions, and older diesel vehicles, smoky buses and two-stroke motorcycles are among the biggest contributors to the toxic smog that blankets cities every winter. Yet the transition will not be easy.
Pakistan still has limited EV charging infrastructure, electricity challenges and relatively expensive electric vehicles. Unless affordable alternatives become widely available, critics fear the burden could fall hardest on those least able to bear it. For now, the proposal is still awaiting Cabinet approval, meaning details and timelines could still change.
