ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Climate Change on Sunday removed Farzana Altaf Shah from her position as director general of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency following approval from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

According to sources, Farzana Altaf Shah was relieved of her duties due to unsatisfactory performance and disciplinary concerns. The decision, made with the prime minister’s consent, will see her removed from office for a period of 120 days.

An official notification issued by the Ministry of Climate Change said: “As approved by the Prime Minister, Ms Farzana Altaf Shah, a BS-20 officer of Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA), is placed under suspension initially for a period of one hundred and twenty (120) days in terms of Rule 5(1) of the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules 2020, with immediate effect.”

According to Mohammad Saleem, who is the spokesman for the ministry, the move was made to make functioning of the Pak-EPA, more efficient. Despite the deteriorating quality of air in the past several months, the environmental watchdog under her command, took little mitigation measures, was also one of the reasons for her removal, the official said, adding that “complaints, including from her subordinates had been mounting”.

The Ministry of Climate Change has not issued an official statement on the matter, but insiders suggest the move is part of broader efforts to improve institutional efficiency and ensure stricter enforcement of environmental regulations.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2025