Islamabad: The Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination has called for the establishment of a regular vehicle emission testing mechanism in the Islamabad Capital Territory and recommended updates to the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997. The committee also announced the upcoming release of the National Environment Report by December 15, the first such report since 2016.

According to the National Assembly of Pakistan, the meeting took place at the Constitution Room in Parliament House, where the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination and the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) provided updates on their statutory mandate and enforcement performance under the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act. The committee expressed concerns over inconsistencies in the data presented and emphasized the need for preventive measures against pollution, particularly relating to transport.

The Pak-EPA has been working on establishing air monitoring systems and is collaborating with the Capital Development Authority to introduce an electric bus system in Islamabad. The committee highlighted the importance of regular vehicle inspections over spot checks and suggested promoting car-pooling through social media campaigns.

Concerns were also raised about the agency’s funding and staffing levels, with recommendations for increased digitization and transparency regarding employee details. The committee urged a review of the National Environmental Quality Standards, emphasizing the need for water testing reports, standards, and laboratory performance reviews.

In addition, the committee noted the lack of social media presence by the Ministry, recommending its enhancement. The detailed briefing on the management of the Margalla Hills National Park was deferred due to the absence of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board Chairman.

The meeting was attended by several members of the National Assembly and senior officers from the Ministry and Pak-EPA.