ISLAMABAD, Jan 28 Almost every major development project completed in the Islamabad Capital Territory during the last three years was undertaken in violation of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act (Pepa).

This was revealed to the National Assembly on Thursday in response to a question put by Yasmin Rehman of the ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP).

Some 20 projects violated Section 12 of the act that makes an initial environment examination mandatory before starting a development project. Without the examiner approving it, the project cannot be undertaken.

Environment Minister Hameedullah Jan Afridi stated in a written response to the question that his ministry had referred 10 cases to the environmental protection tribunal for a ruling.

These included construction project of F-9 Park, development of recreational park at Rawal Dam, construction of the National Monument at Shakarparian, beautification of Daman-i-Koh, the 7th and 9th avenues, the Faisal Avenue underpass and overhead bridge, expansion of the Islamabad Expressway and the Jinnah Avenue, the Monal restaurant at Pir Sohawa and the hospital waste incinerator installed at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims).

Under section 12 of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997, all these projects were required to submit environment assessment reports, and obtain approval from the environment authorities, before starting the projects.

To facilitate the proponent of the project, the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency had notified general and specific guidelines.

Environment impact assessment sessions were open to public and the hearings were advertised in the newspapers.

Other projects undertaken in the city ignoring the environment protection laws included the construction of Telecom Tower, State Life Building, the Cultural Complex, the Parade Avenue near Faizabad, the Arts and Craft Village at Garden Avenue, the Pak-China Cultural Complex, the China Chowk underpass, the Petroleum House, the Nespak Tower, Zero Point Interchange and the Naval complex Golf Club.