The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has been issued notices and an environmental protection order (EPO) by the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) to cease construction work in Margalla Hills National Park.
The CDA Members for Environment, Engineering and the Project Director were served a notice for failing to obtain environmental approval from the Agency.
The EPA stated that the construction work was in violation of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997. The matter was taken to the Environmental Protection Tribunal (EPT) after no action was taken by the Agency.
The Tribunal clarified that the EPA had the authority to issue EPOs under Section 16 of the Act, and that penalties would be determined under Section 17 of the Act.
The Tribunal also noted that the EPA had previously halted construction work in similar cases, and that the same could be done again after completing all necessary formalities.
