Pakistan faces severe vulnerability to climate change and environmental related issues but its largest province – Punjab – is unable to find a Director General for its Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
After being unable to find someone reliable for the post, the government has given the charge of DG EPA to the Environment Protection Department Secretary Capt (r) Saif Anjum.
Currently, Pakistan has five environmental protection agencies: one federal and four provincial.
As the world focuses on taking the appropriate measure to deal with climate change, EPAs have become increasingly important departments, being responsible for monitoring environmental conditions and pollution levels in their respective jurisdictions.
Punjab’s EPA has long been criticised for to its weak performance. In the past, the EPA has been embroiled in multiple scandals, and the internal politics of the department has also hampered its efficiency.
Dr Javed Iqbal was appointed as DG EPA last year in June. Though he holds a PhD, his appointment was challenged in the Lahore High Court (LHC) on the basis of a violation of service rules by Advocate Sheraz Zaka .
After hearing arguments from both sides, Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court Syed Mansoor Ali Shah on Oct 26 announced his verdict, stating that appointment of Dr Javed Iqbal had indeed been made in violation of the rules. The court ordered the appointment of a new DG.
Despite the petition, verdict, and court order, Dr Javed Iqbal was kept as the DG. This matter was again brought before the court, which then sought a reply from Punjab government before December 19.
Finally, earlier this week, the Services & General Administration Department (S&GAD) has transferred Dr Javed Iqbal to his parent department, the Housing Urban Development & Public Health Engineering Department.
It has been a month and a half since the court ordered the Punjab government to find a replacement, and they have failed to find a suitable candidate for the post.
Instead, the responsibilities of the office are being shouldered by EPA Secretary Capt (r) Saif Anjum .
