To address the escalating water crisis, the Punjab Environment Protection and Climate Change Department has enforced an immediate ban on setting up new car wash stations across the province, including all six districts of Rawalpindi Division.
Violators will face legal action under Section 188. Dr. Imran Sheikh, the department’s Director General, noted that a single car wash uses about 40 litres of water, motorcycles around 20 litres, and larger vehicles up to 50 litres—amounting to billions of litres wasted daily.
Read more:Punjab Government Bans Car Washing and Home Water Pipe Usage to Combat Water Crisis
Rawalpindi alone hosts an estimated 10,000 car wash stations, with many more individuals offering small-scale services, each using 5–7 litres per vehicle. With Punjab experiencing 42% less rainfall this year, water scarcity concerns have intensified.
The department has also banned the use of diesel at all existing car wash stations in Rawalpindi Division, stating that it renders wastewater too polluted for recycling. Stations found using diesel or oil will be sealed.
Starting Monday, April 7, authorities will fine and possibly shut down stations without proper water recycling systems. Only recycled water will be permitted for future operations, and non-compliance will lead to penalties and legal consequences.
In February, red notices were issued to all 465 car wash stations in Rawalpindi, demanding the installation of recycling systems by February 28. Similar directives were issued by municipal and district authorities to service stations and private well owners. In response, car wash owners have protested, citing the financial burden of immediate compliance.
