Islamabad, July 12, 2023 (PPI-OT): The National Assembly Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination met today under the Chairpersonship of Ms. Nuzhat Pathan, MNA.

2. The Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination took notice of the issue of increasing Garbage in the ICT which is causing severe damage to the environment. The Chairman Capital Development Authority apprised the Committee that CDA has outsourced the Garbage Collection to the China and now Garbage is being collected from the rural areas of the capital city as well and he ensure the committee that this issue will be settled soon.

3. Honourable members of the committee raised the issue of stolen gutter lids in which a father and a son lost lives due to falling in the gas filled gutter. The Committee expressed deep sorrow on the sad incident. In response to that, Chairman CDA apprised the committee that recycled plastic are to be used in near future these lids are least likely to be stolen.

4. While discussing the matter of Housing Societies in Islamabad (legal and illegal) that are causing severe damage to the sewerage system in ICT, it was informed to the Committee by CDA authorities that Pak-EPA has granted Environmental Approvals to 48 housing schemes within the jurisdiction of the ICT under IEE/EIA Regulations of 2000. Currently, nine housing Scheme cases are undergoing the process for Environmental Approval consideration, while seven cases have been rejected or closed due to non-performance by the proponents.

5. it was also revealed that there is no ministerial representation in the approval Board who is awarding the NOC, the Committee strongly stressed that at least one member from Ministry/EPA should be the part of this because it is a matter of national security.

6. The Committee showed extreme displeasure over the language used by the Wild Life representatives on a reply to a recommendation of the Committee on installation of street lights on Margalla Hills. The Director General IWMB tender his apology to the members of the Committee for using such language. The Committee directed that hidden cameras should be installed and patrolling on Margalla trails and National Parks should be ensured.

7. Besides the Chairperson, Begum Tahira Aurangzeb, Ms. Romina Khursheed Aalam, Ms. Shahida Rehmani and Ms. Shamim Ara Panwar, Ms. Ayesha Rajab Baloch, Engr. Sabir Kaimkhani, Mr. Keso Mal Kheal Das, Ms. Shahida Rehmani and Mr. Afreen Khan MNAs also attended the meeting.

For more information, contact:

Secretary,

National Assembly of Pakistan

Automation Centre, National Assembly Secretariat,

Parliament House, Islamabad, Pakistan

Tel: +92-51-9221082-83

Fax: +92-51-9221106

Email: assembly@na.gov.pk

Website: www.na.gov.pk