The Environment Protection and Climate Change Department has clarified that vehicles without Emission Test System (ETS) stickers are not being banned from roads at this point. Officials stated that restrictions may only be imposed once most vehicles in Lahore have completed emissions testing.

Currently, a free ETS service is available at 20 centers across the city, with each center ideally operating with three testing squads. However, due to limited staff at several locations, many centers are experiencing long queues and delays.

At the Emporium Mall center in Johar Town, for instance, only one team is managing hundreds of vehicles daily, causing significant wait times.

Each test takes about five minutes, including a pause to allow the machine to reset between tests. Many motorists are opting for the free service instead of paying Rs. 500 at private testing centers, leading to overcrowding.

So far, over 100,000 vehicles have been tested in Lahore. The department plans to increase the number of ETS machines from 70 to 100 soon and expand services to other districts in Punjab.

The department believes that these improvements will help ease the process and encourage more people to get their vehicles tested for emissions compliance.