Minister gains greater EIA authority amid rumours of EPA abolition

The government has amended regulations governing the preparation of environmental impact assessment (EIA) reports, granting the Environment Minister greater authority over the process for projects designated as government priorities.

The changes come amid reports that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may be abolished. Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim and government spokesperson Heena Waleed declined to comment on the reports, while EPA Director General Ibrahim Naeem said the agency was being rebranded.

The EPA has previously functioned as an independent agency. However, the amendments to the EIA rules, published in the government gazette, give the minister and the government a role in expediting assessments for projects identified as special priorities.

Under the new provisions:

Environmental experts and organisations have raised concerns, stating that the reforms were made without consulting relevant professionals. They argue that shortening the EIA process could reduce the scope for assessing potential environmental impacts and that granting the minister decision-making authority could undermine the objectivity of the process.