LAHORE, Jan 21: The Environment Protection Department (EPD) of Punjab has called upon the Federal Ministry of Environment to expedite the appointment of the chairman, Environmental Tribunal, to strengthen its role in controlling the menace of pollution.

In response, the ministry has requested the Law, Justice and Human Rights Division to expedite the requisite action, treating it on most urgent basis, said a source.

The EPD had submitted that due to the retirement of the last chairperson, the environment tribunal had been non- functional since many months, which had adversely affected the performance of the department.

At present, over 30 cases, involving more than 100 per cent pollution-causing industrial units, are pending with the tribunal, which also provides legal support to EPD by issuing warrants to investigate pollution cases and complete other quasi-judicial proceedings.—APP