By Azeem Ahmed Khan

Environmental compliance efforts gained momentum in Islamabad in 2025 as the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) issued 130 notices, a five-year high, conducted 120 enforcement visits and intensified action across industrial, construction, healthcare and plastics sectors.

According to documents of the Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination available with Wealth Pakistan, the agency also issued 28 Environmental Protection Orders (EPOs) during 2025. Over the five years from 2021 to 2025, Pak-EPA carried out a total of 591 enforcement visits, issued 526 notices and served 149 EPOs.

A steadily rising budget has backed the regulatory push. Pak-EPA’s regular allocation has increased from Rs70 million in 2022-23 to Rs132 million in 2026-27. The latest budget includes Rs77 million for salaries and establishment-related expenditure and Rs55 million for operational spending.

Industrial compliance remained a key focus. In September 2025, Pak-EPA inspected 10 industrial units in Humak Industrial Area, Islamabad, and found that none had obtained the mandatory environmental approval required under Section 12. The agency subsequently issued notices requiring personal hearings under Section 16.

The agency also took action against polluting brick kilns. It monitored emissions and compliance with environmental standards through inspections, legal notices and Environmental Protection Orders, while three kilns in Islamabad were demolished in November and December 2025 in coordination with the Capital Development Authority and Islamabad Capital Territory Administration.

Pak-EPA also continued enforcement of the Single-Use Plastics (Prohibition) Regulations, 2023 through inspections, confiscations, warnings and fines. In January 2026, an operation in Ghauri Town led to the confiscation of approximately 100 kilogrammes of prohibited single-use plastic items.

The healthcare sector also remained under regulatory scrutiny. During 2024-25, 97 healthcare facilities were covered in 89 inspections and site visits, while eight EPOs were issued for non-compliance. Legal proceedings were also ongoing against 24 high-rise buildings under environmental assessment and post-approval monitoring requirements.

The agency’s enforcement work is supported by its Central Laboratory for Environmental Analysis & Networking (CLEAN) in Islamabad. The laboratory is equipped to analyse pollutants in air, water and soil and can also conduct field measurements using portable equipment for compliance with National Environmental Quality Standards.

CLEAN also analyses municipal and industrial effluent, investigates pollutants affecting public health, develops testing procedures for National Environmental Quality Standards parameters and provides research facilities to universities and institutions. It also offers internships to university students in the environmental field.

Pak-EPA currently has 71 sanctioned posts, of which 50 are filled and 21 vacant. The documents say vacancies are concentrated in selected professional, technical and field positions, while a number of posts are at different stages of recruitment through the Federal Public Service Commission.

Under the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997, Pak-EPA serves as the federal environmental regulatory and enforcement agency within its prescribed jurisdiction, with responsibilities covering pollution control, environmental standards, environmental assessments, research and environmental protection.

Credit: INP-WealthPk