Senate Committee Reveals Unauthorized Construction of Punjab CM’s Camp Office at Rawal Dam site
Islamabad: In a recent meeting of the Senate Standing Committee for Climate Change held on Wednesday, it was revealed that construction of a camp office for the Chief Minister of Punjab is underway at Rawal Dam without the required approvals from relevant authorities. The construction, managed by the Punjab Communication and Works Department, has raised concerns about its impact on the environment and heritage sites in the area.
The construction, managed by Punjab’s Communication and Works Department, was confirmed by Muhammad Aamir Khan, Chief SPRU of the Punjab Irrigation Department, who attended the committee meeting. He acknowledged the ongoing work, despite the site’s protected status.
The Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) reported extensive tree-cutting, hilltop leveling, and potential harm to a historic Mandir situated at the location. “We have issued notices and sent multiple reminders, but our concerns have been ignored,” stated Farzana Altaf Shah, Executive Director of Pak-EPA.
In response, the Senate Committee directed the Secretary of Climate Change, along with Pak-EPA and the Punjab Irrigation Department, to submit a detailed report, including photos and videos, documenting the environmental and cultural impact of the construction.
Committee Chairperson Sherry Rehman noted that the camp office could be built elsewhere, outside of protected zones, stating, “The CM Camp Office can be constructed at some other place which is not prohibited.”
Rawal Dam, designated as part of a national park since April 27, 1980, is subject to strict regulations that prohibit construction within its boundaries. Previously, the Monal Restaurant in Islamabad faced demolition for similar encroachments within national park limits.
The committee further directed the Secretary of Climate Change to discuss the matter with the Punjab Government and schedule an on-site visit for committee members. A full briefing on the findings will be presented at the next committee meeting.
Sources also indicated that the Punjab Irrigation Department has already established a colony near Rawal Dam, with unauthorized encroachments expanding beyond its limits. The location’s scenic appeal has reportedly turned it into a preferred vacation spot for department officers and their families.
The meeting was attended by Senator Bushra Anjum Butt, Senator Shahadat Awan, Senator Naseema Ehsan, Senator Shahzaib Durrani, Senator Taj Haider, the Secretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Climate Environmental Coordination Additional Secretary (MoCC&EC), senior officials from CDA, EPA, and other concerned departments.
In addition to this, Senator Sherry Rehman raised the need for an updated financial mechanism at the upcoming COP29 summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, to improve climate financing from developed nations. She highlighted that current mechanisms fall short, particularly for countries with minimal emissions like Pakistan, which face substantial climate risks. Rehman urged that donor countries’ financial contributions be measured against Nationally Determined Contributions, a model followed by recipient countries.
She noted that Pakistan alone requires $348 billion by 2030 for climate adaptation, with a recent flood disaster leaving $30 billion in damages. The global funding shortfall for climate adaptation is significant, with developing countries requiring trillions to meet their NDCs. Rehman also advocated for simplified access to the Loss and Damage Fund, stressing it is urgently needed for countries most impacted by climate change.
