October 11, 2007	Thursday	Ramazan 28, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Oct 10: Taking cognisance of pollution in and around the Khanpur Dam and lake, Federal Ombudsman Javed Sadiq Malik has ordered an investigation into the matter to determine the facts and potential health hazards to the residents of twin cities.

The ombudsman termed neglect on the part of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in adequately addressing the issue “maladministration”, as defined in the presidential order No. 1 of 1983.

Mr Malik directed the EPA to take immediate steps in accordance with the law to control pollution in Khanpur lake. He also directed the real estate developers and Wapda Colony to make adequate arrangements for disposal of solid waste within a period of 60 days.

“The Khanpur Dam lake is a source of drinking water to the cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi and the public complaints had pointed to real estate development around the Khanpur Dam area and the contamination of the water reservoir due to dumping of waste into the lake,” Mr Malik observed.

After providing the EPA, which is responsible for monitoring pollution, with due opportunity to present its case and following careful review of reports of experts on the extent and causes of pollution, the ombudsman determined that the public complaints were based on facts and that the steps taken by the EPA to prevent pollution in the lake were inadequate and unsatisfactory.—APP