RAWALPINDI: The Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi Bench on Wednesday directed the Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to explain delays in finalising revised environmental standards for the ethanol/distillery industry, while granting interim relief to M/s Murree Brewery Co. Ltd. in a petition challenging the proposed Punjab Environmental Quality Standards (PEQS).

Justice Jawad Hassan heard the petition filed by the brewery under Article 199 of the Constitution, contending that the revised PEQS draft — uploaded on the EPA’s website but not yet formally notified — was arbitrary, lacked technical input, and violated fundamental rights including due process, freedom of business, and equality guaranteed under Articles 4, 10-A, and 25.

Appearing before the court, Malik Qamar Afzal, counsel for the petitioner, argued that the brewery had made substantial investments in environmental protection, including a thermophilic biomethanation wastewater treatment plant, zero-discharge practices, renewable energy adoption, and afforestation drives.

He maintained that the EPA’s coercive approach undermined the progressive compliance framework envisaged under the Punjab Environmental Protection Act 1997.

Court asks Punjab-EPA to explain delays in finalising standards for ethanol/distillery industry

However, the court noted that part of the petitioner’s challenge — seeking to set aside a Site Monitoring Report dated 24.08.2024 and an Environmental Protection Order (EPO) issued on Dec 19, 2025 — was already pending before the Punjab Environmental Tribunal, Rawalpindi. Justice Hassan ruled that constitutional jurisdiction could not be invoked simultaneously where a specialised statutory remedy had been availed under Section 22 of the Act.

On the primary relief concerning the proposed PEQS, the court examined a Chemical Analysis Test Report indicating that the brewery’s effluent had Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) at 953 mg/L and Sulphide concentration at 0.8 mg/L — prima facie within permissible limits under the draft standards.

“Environmental compliance is not a one-time exercise,” the judge observed, directing the petitioner to submit a comprehensive report on its effluent treatment plant, capital investments, ISO certifications, sustainability audits, and carbon reduction initiatives.

The court also took judicial notice of the brewery’s contribution to the national economy, citing its export earnings, tax payments, and employment generation. Referring to Saudi Pak Industrial and Agricultural Investment Company Limited versus Chenab Limited and Allah Ditta versus DCO, the judge underscored that economic realities cannot be ignored while enforcing environmental obligations.

Notices were issued to the respondents for June 22, with directions to file a comprehensive report and para-wise comments within ten days.

A senior officer from the EPA has been ordered to appear on the next hearing to explain the delay in notifying the revised PEQS.

The court refrained from any coercive action against the brewery for now, but warned that environmental compliance remains a non-negotiable obligation. The case has been adjourned until June 22.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026