ISLAMABAD: The Environmental Protection Agency of Pakistan (Pak-EPA) has issued notices and an environmental protection order (EPO) to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to stop construction work at Rawal Chowk and Park Road underpass, on the directive of the Environmental Protection Tribunal (EPT).
It was said that this is a clear violation of sections 11 and 12 of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997.
Additionally, the EPA had asked the project proponents to justify their actions, but when they failed to do so, the matter was referred to the Environmental Protection Tribunal to issue an EPO and halt the illegal construction work.
The Tribunal has clarified that the EPA has the authority to issue an EPO as per Section 16 of the Act, while it can decide the penalties according to Section 17.
Furthermore, the Tribunal has also noted that similar construction work was halted by the EPA in the past, and the same could be done in this case after fulfilling all formalities.
