Environmental Law in Pakistan - IUCN

what is or is not an antiquity (Section 4), acquire land containingantiquities (Section 7), carry out the compulsory acquisition ofprotected immovable antiquities (Section 15) and placerestrictions on the use of protected immovable antiquities (Section18). The law contains detailed provisions related to antiquities andnational monuments, and empowers the federal government tomake rules for their preservation and protection (Section 37). Thegovernment has the authority to prevent the execution ofdevelopment schemes (Section 22) and restrict mining activities(Section 28) in the vicinity of protected and immovable antiquities.But the law contains no specific provisions to regulate or monitorthe impact of environmental factors, nor does it link areascontaining monuments and antiquities with other types ofprotected areas. All powers under this act remain with the federalgovernment. This law was enacted the year before Pakistanbecame Party to the World Heritage Convention, but was notsubsequently amended to take into account the country’sobligations under the convention.6.1.1.4 Islamabad(Preservation ofLandscape)Ordinance 1966This ordinance prohibits the destruction, damage or alteration ofthe landscape of Islamabad (Section 4). The term landscape isdefined to include “earth, land, clay, rock, boulders, shingles,pebbles” and any other objects that lie on the surface of the land,as well as trees, vegetation and “all objects of natural beautyvisible to the eye” (Section 2(a)). Offences under this ordinance arepunishable with imprisonment for a maximum term of six monthsand/or a fine of up to 5,000 rupees (Section 5). Police officers andofficials authorised by the Capital Development Authority areawarded far-reaching powers to arrest suspected offenders withouta warrant (Section 6) and to search premises (Section 9). Officialsare authorised to exercise the powers of a civil court and mayconduct summary trials (Section 8). The Capital DevelopmentAuthority enjoys indemnity from prosecution for anything it does orintends to do under this ordinance (Section 12). The federalgovernment has the power to make rules (Section 15).6.1.1.5 CapitalDevelopment AuthorityOrdinance 1960This ordinance creates the Capital Development Authority(Section 4), which is mandated to prepare a master developmentplan for Islamabad (Section 11). The Authority is empowered torequire local bodies to prepare schemes for the utilisation of waterand other natural resources (Section 12(2)(f)). The deputycommissioner is empowered to acquire land for the purposes ofthis ordinance (Section 25). Compensation for land so acquiredmust be paid as specified (Sections 29–31). The post of deputycommissioner has been abolished under Section 153(3)(i) of theIslamabad Capital Territory Local Government Ordinance 2002,which establishes a new framework for local-level governance inthe capital. The 1960 ordinance has not been amended to reflectthe reorganisation of local government in Islamabad and must beread together with the 2002 ordinance, as well as other legalinstruments that set out the details of the current administrativestructure.06Processes andInstitutions45EnvironmentalLaw in PakistanFederal