The Punjab government has made it mandatory to scrap end-of-life vehicles under a new ordinance aimed at reducing harmful emissions and improving air quality across the province.

Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan promulgated the Provincial Motor Vehicles (Third Amendment) Ordinance 2026, which took immediate effect as the Punjab Assembly was not in session. The law amends the Provincial Motor Vehicles Ordinance, 1965, by introducing a new chapter that defines end-of-life vehicles and makes their scrapping compulsory.

Which vehicles will be scrapped?

Under the new law, a vehicle may be declared an end-of-life vehicle if its registration has expired or been cancelled, it fails mandatory fitness or emission tests, or it has suffered severe damage due to accidents, fire, natural disasters or other major incidents. Owners may also voluntarily send old vehicles to authorised scrapping centres.

The ordinance states that scrapping includes depollution, dismantling, recycling reusable parts and safely disposing of non-recyclable components.

Government aims to improve air quality

Vehicle owners must use authorised scrapping facilities operated either by private companies or by the Punjab Transport and Mass Transit Department. The provincial government will issue detailed implementation rules, including vehicle age limits, inspection procedures and operational standards for scrapping centres.

Officials say the policy is expected to reduce vehicle emissions, support cleaner transport, encourage the adoption of electric vehicles and promote the growth of Punjab's vehicle recycling industry while improving environmental protection across the province.