Lawmakers Slam Pak-EPA Over Rising Pollution in Margalla Hills National Park
In a meeting of the Standing Committee on Climate Change, frustration boiled over as lawmakers voiced serious concerns about the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency’s (Pak-EPA) failure to safeguard one of the country’s most cherished ecological treasures—Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP).
Chaired by MNA Munaza Hassan, the committee meeting painted a grim picture of environmental mismanagement. The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) revealed disturbing statistics: 48 eateries and shops operating inside the national park are generating more than 576 kilograms of solid waste every day, much of which is left unmanaged. Even more alarming, 27 of these establishments lack basic sewerage systems, discharging untreated wastewater directly into natural ecosystems, including Rawal Lake, a key water source for the region.
This shocking revelation triggered sharp criticism from committee members. Lawmakers condemned the ongoing pollution and slammed the lack of coordination between Pak-EPA, the Capital Development Authority (CDA), and IWMB. The absence of a unified enforcement strategy, they warned, threatens the long-term ecological stability of MHNP—an area already under intense commercial pressure.
It’s unacceptable that over 576 kilograms of solid waste is being dumped daily in Margalla Hills National Park with no formal disposal in place. Member of Standing Committee on Climate Change
While CDA officials maintained that MHNP boundaries were clearly marked in 2023, committee members contested this claim, citing conflicting reports and the absence of a comprehensive park management plan. In a glimmer of hope, the Ministry of Climate Change mentioned a new zoning plan in the works, being developed in collaboration with WWF and IUCN.
Amid growing environmental concerns, the spotlight also turned toward leadership issues within the Pak-EPA. The recent appointment of Nazia Zaib as Director General came under scrutiny when MNA Dr. Shazia Sobia questioned her qualifications. Zaib defended her appointment, citing a Master’s degree in Plant Sciences and prior experience in Inland Revenue. The exchange highlighted deeper concerns about the agency’s capacity to enforce environmental regulations in a meaningful way.
Twenty-seven businesses are releasing untreated wastewater directly into Rawal Lake. This isn’t just mismanagement—it’s ecological sabotage. MNA Munaza Hassan
The committee also broadened its focus to medical and electronic waste management. During a briefing, the Executive Director of PIMS Hospital outlined existing protocols for waste segregation and incineration. Despite efforts to manage 1,000 kg of medical waste daily, the hospital is over capacity by 20%, forcing reliance on private contractors. Lawmakers pressed for more transparency and oversight on how private clinics and laboratories handle hazardous waste, to which Pak-EPA responded that only licensed handlers are allowed to manage it.
Another troubling issue raised was Pakistan’s failure to regulate electronic waste (e-waste). Despite being a signatory to the Basel Convention since 1994, the country still lacks a formal legal framework. Lawmakers did not hold back, branding the situation a “two-decade-long legislative failure.”
Pakistan has been a signatory to the Basel Convention for over 20 years, and yet we still have no legal framework for managing e-waste. That is a national failure. Committee Member on e-waste regulation
Among the attendees voicing their concerns were Musarrat Asif Khawaja, Shaista Pervaiz, Syeda Shehla Raza, Shagufta Jumani, Dr. Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, Mir Khan Muhammad Jamali, Rana Ansar, and others. Ayesha Nazir joined the session virtually.
This committee meeting served as a stark reminder that without urgent action, Pakistan’s environmental challenges—especially in ecologically sensitive areas like Margalla Hills—could become irreversible. The calls for accountability, stronger laws, and inter-agency collaboration are louder than ever.