LAHORE: The Lahore High Court chief justice on Wednesday sought a reply from the Punjab government on a petition challenging appointment of the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) director general.

Advocate Sheraz Zaka argued that the appointment of Dr Javed Iqbal as EPA DG had been made in violation of service rules. He said the rules required that appointment of the DG be made through either promotion from director within the department or through the Punjab Public Service Commission.

However, the counsel said, the impugned appointment had been made by selecting the respondent DG from housing department. Dr Iqbal had been working as technical adviser in the housing department and transferred to EPA in violation of the rules, he added.

He pointed out there was an inquiry pending against the respondent DG before the NAB regarding procurement of equipment for laboratory established in Multan.

Advocate Zaka pleaded that for the past 10 years the EPA established eight regional laboratories but these were yet to be made functional owing to corrupt practices of public functionaries.

The counsel asked the court to seek an explanation from the authorities concerned as to what measures had been taken regarding establishment of regional laboratories in Multan, Faisalabad, Rahim Yar Khan, Gujranwala and Bahawalpur for the enforcement of environmental laws and pollution charge rules. He asked the court to set aside the impugned appointment for being made in violation of the rules.

Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah sought a reply from the provincial government through the chief secretary by Sept 19.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2016