Q. 1
Judicial Studies
Difficulty: Easy
(1 Mark)
The Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997 (Act No. XXXIV of 1997) was enacted to provide for the:
💡
Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
The Preamble to PEPA 1997 establishes its legislative intent: An Act to provide for the protection, conservation, rehabilitation and improvement of the environment, for the prevention and control of pollution, and promotion of sustainable development.
Q. 2
Judicial Studies
Difficulty: Medium
(1 Mark)
Under Section 3 of PEPA 1997, who serves as the Chairperson of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Council (PEPC)?
💡
Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Section 3(2) of PEPA 1997 provides that the Pakistan Environmental Protection Council (PEPC) shall consist of the Prime Minister (or his nominee) as Chairperson, the Federal Minister in charge of environment as Vice-Chairperson, and provincial environment ministers as members.
Q. 3
Judicial Studies
Difficulty: Easy
(1 Mark)
What does 'NEQS' stand for in environmental governance under PEPA 1997?
💡
Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Under Section 2(xxvii) of PEPA 1997, 'NEQS' stands for National Environmental Quality Standards established by the Federal Agency under Section 6(1)(e) fixing permissible limits for discharges of industrial effluents and air emissions.
Q. 4
Judicial Studies
Difficulty: Easy
(1 Mark)
Under Section 11 of PEPA 1997, no person shall discharge or emit any effluent or waste or air pollutant or noise in an amount, concentration or level which is in excess of:
💡
Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Section 11(1) PEPA 1997 provides a strict statutory prohibition: Subject to provisions of the Act, no person shall discharge or emit any effluent or waste or air pollutant or noise in excess of the NEQS.
Q. 5
Judicial Studies
Difficulty: Medium
(1 Mark)
Under Section 12 of PEPA 1997, no proponent of a project shall commence construction or operation unless he has filed with the Federal/Provincial Agency an:
💡
Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Section 12(1) PEPA 1997 is a fundamental environmental prerequisite: No proponent of a project shall commence construction or operation unless he has filed an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) or, where the project is likely to cause adverse environmental effects, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and obtained approval from the EPA.
Q. 6
Judicial Studies
Difficulty: Hard
(1 Mark)
What is the key difference between an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) and an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) under Pak-EPA (Review of IEE/EIA) Regulations 2000?
💡
Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Under the Pak-EPA Regulations 2000, Schedule I projects require an IEE (simpler screening review), whereas Schedule II projects (heavy industry, dams, highways, toxic chemical plants) require a comprehensive EIA including public consultation and mandatory public notice/hearing.
Q. 7
Judicial Studies
Difficulty: Medium
(1 Mark)
Under Section 16 of PEPA 1997, where the Director General of the Agency is satisfied that any person is discharging pollutants causing serious pollution, he may issue an:
💡
Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Section 16 PEPA 1997 empowers the DG EPA to issue an Environmental Protection Order (EPO) directing the polluter to take immediate remedial measures, cease operation, or install pollution control devices.
Q. 8
Judicial Studies
Difficulty: Medium
(1 Mark)
Under Section 17 of PEPA 1997, failure to comply with an Environmental Protection Order or violation of Section 12 (commencing project without EIA) is punishable with fine up to:
💡
Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Section 17(1) PEPA 1997 prescribes a fine which may extend to one million rupees, and in case of continuing contravention, an additional fine which may extend to one hundred thousand rupees for every day during which failure continues.
Q. 9
Judicial Studies
Difficulty: Easy
(1 Mark)
In environmental jurisprudence in Pakistan, the landmark judgment 'Shehla Zia v. WAPDA' (PLD 1994 SC 693) expanded the Fundamental Right to Life (Article 9) to include:
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Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
In the historic Shehla Zia case (1994), the Supreme Court of Pakistan ruled that the right to life under Article 9 does not mean mere animal existence, but includes the right to a clean, safe, and healthy environment, adopting the Precautionary Principle and Sustainable Development into Pakistani law.
Q. 10
Judicial Studies
Difficulty: Easy
(1 Mark)
Under Section 2(ii) of PEPA 1997, 'Adverse Environmental Effect' includes impairment of or damage to:
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Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Section 2(ii) comprehensively defines adverse environmental effect as impairment of human health, ecosystems, living resources, material assets, or environmental amenities.
Q. 11
Judicial Studies
Difficulty: Easy
(1 Mark)
Under Section 5 of PEPA 1997, the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) is headed by a:
💡
Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Section 5(2) of PEPA 1997 provides that the Federal Agency (Pak-EPA) shall be headed by a Director General appointed by the Federal Government.
Q. 12
Judicial Studies
Difficulty: Medium
(1 Mark)
Following the 18th Constitutional Amendment in 2010, environmental protection became primarily a:
💡
Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Following the 18th Amendment, the Concurrent Legislative List was abolished, devolving environment to the provinces (e.g., Punjab Environmental Protection Act 1997 amended 2012, Sindh EPA Act 2014, KP EPA Act 2014), while Pak-EPA retains jurisdiction over Islamabad Capital Territory and federal trans-boundary issues.
Q. 13
Judicial Studies
Difficulty: Medium
(1 Mark)
Under Section 6(1)(g) of PEPA 1997, Pak-EPA has the statutory power to certify:
💡
Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Section 6(1)(g) empowers the Federal Agency to certify environmental laboratories and appoint environmental analysts to test effluent samples and emission reports.
Q. 14
Judicial Studies
Difficulty: Medium
(1 Mark)
Under Section 9 of PEPA 1997, Provincial Sustainable Development Funds are established to:
💡
Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Section 9 PEPA provides for the establishment of Provincial Sustainable Development Funds, managed by a statutory Board, to provide grants and low-interest loans for clean technology and environmental conservation.
Q. 15
Judicial Studies
Difficulty: Easy
(1 Mark)
Under Section 13 of PEPA 1997, the import of hazardous waste into Pakistan or its territorial waters is:
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Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Section 13 of PEPA 1997 strictly prohibits the import of hazardous waste into Pakistan and its territorial waters, aligning with Pakistan's obligations under the Basel Convention.
Q. 16
Judicial Studies
Difficulty: Medium
(1 Mark)
Under Section 14 of PEPA 1997, handling of hazardous substances (generating, collecting, treating, transporting) is prohibited except under a:
💡
Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Section 14 PEPA 1997 mandates that no person shall generate, collect, consign, transport, treat, dispose of, or handle hazardous substances except under a statutory license issued by the EPA.
Q. 17
Judicial Studies
Difficulty: Easy
(1 Mark)
Under Section 15 of PEPA 1997, no person shall operate a motor vehicle from which air pollutants or noise are being emitted in excess of:
💡
Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Section 15 of PEPA 1997 empowers environmental and traffic authorities to inspect and regulate motor vehicles to ensure vehicular emissions and vehicular noise comply with NEQS.
Q. 18
Judicial Studies
Difficulty: Medium
(1 Mark)
Under Section 20 of PEPA 1997, the Chairperson of an Environmental Tribunal must be a person who is, or has been, or is qualified to be a:
💡
Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Section 20(2) of PEPA 1997 specifies that the Chairperson of an Environmental Tribunal shall be a person who is, or has been, or is qualified to be, a Judge of a High Court.
Q. 19
Judicial Studies
Difficulty: Hard
(1 Mark)
An Environmental Tribunal constituted under Section 20 of PEPA 1997 consists of the Chairperson and:
💡
Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Section 20(3) of PEPA provides that the Tribunal consists of a Chairperson and two members, of whom at least one shall be a technical member having suitable professional qualifications and experience in environmental protection.
Q. 20
Judicial Studies
Difficulty: Hard
(1 Mark)
Under Section 21 of PEPA 1997, the Environmental Tribunal exercises:
💡
Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Section 21 PEPA confers comprehensive jurisdiction: For trial of offences, the Tribunal exercises the powers of a Court of Session under CrPC; for hearing appeals against orders of the DG, it exercises the powers of a Civil Court under CPC 1908.
Q. 21
Judicial Studies
Difficulty: Medium
(1 Mark)
Under Section 22 of PEPA 1997, any person aggrieved by an order or direction of the Director General EPA (such as an EPO) may appeal to the Environmental Tribunal within:
💡
Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Section 22 of PEPA 1997 provides a 30-day statutory limitation period for filing an appeal before the Environmental Tribunal against any order, decision or directive issued by the Federal or Provincial DG EPA.
Q. 22
Judicial Studies
Difficulty: Medium
(1 Mark)
Under Section 23 of PEPA 1997, any person aggrieved by any final decision or sentence of the Environmental Tribunal may prefer an appeal to the:
💡
Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Section 23 of PEPA provides that an appeal against any final order or sentence passed by the Environmental Tribunal lies to the High Court within thirty days, heard by a bench of not less than two judges (Division Bench).
Q. 23
Judicial Studies
Difficulty: Medium
(1 Mark)
Under Section 26 of PEPA 1997, where an environmental offence is committed by a company or body corporate, who is deemed guilty of the offence?
💡
Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Section 26 PEPA creates statutory vicarious liability: Every director, partner, and officer of the corporation is deemed guilty unless he proves due diligence or lack of knowledge.
Q. 24
Judicial Studies
Difficulty: Hard
(1 Mark)
Under Section 27 of PEPA 1997, where an environmental offence has been committed by any Government Department or statutory authority, who is deemed guilty?
💡
Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Section 27 of PEPA explicitly pins statutory liability on the Head of the Government Department, unless he proves lack of knowledge or due diligence.
Q. 25
Judicial Studies
Difficulty: Easy
(1 Mark)
What does the 'Precautionary Principle' dictate in environmental jurisprudence?
💡
Step-by-Step Explanation & Concept Rationale
Principle 15 of Rio Declaration and established Pakistani environmental jurisprudence (Shehla Zia case) establishes that lack of complete scientific certainty cannot justify delaying protective measures against ecological threats.
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