Islamabad: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination has recommended establishing a regular mechanism for emission testing of motor vehicles in the Islamabad Capital Territory instead of relying on occasional spot checks.
The committee met at Parliament House under the chairpersonship of Ms Munaza Hassan to receive a briefing from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination and the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) on the agency's statutory mandate, institutional capacity and enforcement performance under the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997.
The chairperson expressed reservations over inconsistencies in data presented before the committee.
The Pak-EPA informed the committee that the Annual National Environment Report, last published in 2016, was currently under preparation in collaboration with the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI).
The agency said consultative meetings had been continuing for around a year and the report, covering the last five years, would be published by December 15, 2026.
The committee was briefed that Pak-EPA was working towards establishing air monitoring systems. The chairperson, however, emphasized that the agency should focus on prevention of pollution rather than monitoring alone.
The agency said it was taking measures to control transport-related pollution and was working with the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to introduce an electric bus system in Islamabad.
The chairperson also sought details regarding the short-term measures under the Air Quality Management Plan and expressed reservations that the plan was not being implemented effectively.
The committee recommended encouraging car-pooling within the Ministry of Climate Change and Pak-EPA through a social media campaign.
On monitoring of diesel-engine commercial transport, the committee was informed that 50 vehicles had been inspected and 11 were fined.
The committee observed that commercial vehicles should undergo regular inspection rather than being subjected merely to spot checks and recommended a formal mechanism for regular vehicle emission testing in Islamabad.
Regarding National Environmental Quality Standards, the agency informed the committee that it was following the rules of 2010, which were comparable with standards in other countries of the region.
The committee directed that a report on water testing, applicable standards and the performance of environmental laboratories be presented to it. It also proposed visits to environmental laboratories.
On enforcement measures, the committee was informed that fines were imposed both by Pak-EPA and the Environmental Tribunal, while surveillance and monitoring systems were in place for industrial activities.
The agency said dust monitoring was undertaken through environmental impact assessments and initial environmental examinations.
Pak-EPA informed the committee that it was facing shortages of funds and staff and was moving towards digitization.
The committee directed that details of employees of the agency and ministry working on deputation, along with reasons for their deputation, be furnished to it.
The committee also expressed concern over the limited social media presence of the Ministry of Climate Change and recommended enhancing its public communication efforts.
It further recommended a review and updating of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997, including its Schedule in relation to international treaties.
The committee also decided to invite members of the Pakistan Climate Change Authority to its next meeting.
The detailed briefing by the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board on the protection and management of Margalla Hills National Park and other protected areas of Islamabad was deferred due to the non-attendance of the board's chairman.