Kabul Cracks Down on Pollution as Taliban Traffic Authority Targets Smoke-Emitting Vehicles

In response to a noticeable increase in air pollution in Kabul, the Taliban-led Traffic Department has announced that smoke-emitting vehicles will be halted within the city, and owners will be dealt with in accordance with regulations.

In a statement issued on Thursday, December 17, the department emphasized that drivers are required to fix the technical faults in their vehicles before being allowed back on the roads; otherwise, their vehicles will not be permitted to operate within the city.

According to traffic officials, the move aims to reduce emissions and improve air quality in Kabul— a city that faces a severe pollution crisis during the cold season due to the widespread use of polluting fuels and traffic congestion.

However, environmental experts warn that focusing solely on stopping smoke-emitting vehicles, without implementing a comprehensive urban management plan, improving fuel quality, and expanding public transportation, will not adequately address the depth of the problem. They stress that the Taliban administration must take sustainable measures to protect the health of the city’s residents.