Prior to PEPA-97, the first major consolidated environmental legislation and the only piece of Pakistani legislation dealing specifically with the environment was Pakistan environmental protection ordinance, promulgated in 1983 The ordinance was the principal statement of Pakistan’s national commitment in the field of environment and it fulfilled the urgent need of a legislation to safe guard the national environment. The 1983 ordinance did not have a broad scope. It was limited to creating an institutional base and a high level policy-making forum, the Pakistan Environmental Protection Council (PEPC)2. Five Environmental Protection Agencies (EPAs), one at Federal and four at the Provincial levels were also created under the ministry of Environment, Local Government and Rural Development3. However, EPAs while founded remained practically inoperative for over a decade due lack of funds and support staff. The 1983 ordinance had the provisions for enforcing national environmental quality standards (NEQS) and environment impact assessment (EIA).The Pakistan environment protection act, promulgated in December1997 is an improvement over 1983 ordinance, achieved through an extensive and prolonged consultative process with all stakeholders. Open public hearings were also held in the federal capital as well as in all the provincial capitals, to solicit opinions and discussion. The Act, PEPA-97 was unanimously passed by the National Assembly and the Senate.
