Environmental Law in Pakistan - IUCN

6.1.9.2 Pakistan Hotelsand Restaurants Act 1976This act regulates the standard of service and facilities provided byhotels and restaurants. The law allows government officials toprohibit the conduct of any trade, profession or industry thatendangers public health or causes a public nuisance in the vicinityof a hotel (Section 16). This provision could be used to protectnatural resources and the environment. The federal government isempowered to make rules for the purpose of this act (Section 29).6.1.9.3 Pakistan Hotelsand RestaurantRules 1977These rules establish a Hotels and Restaurants Committee, andspecify its functions (Section 3). They provide for the classification ofvarious hotels according to health and hygiene standards (Section 6).By making registration and licenses mandatory, the rules provide fora regulatory mechanism. They do not provide for the actual operationof hotels and restaurants, nor do they address the potential forenvironmental damage caused by such commercial establishments,including the indiscriminate disposal of waste. Besides establishingbasic health and hygiene standards, the rules contain no provisionsthat directly relate to natural resource management.6.1.9.4 Pakistan TouristGuides Act 1976This act regulates the working of tourist guides and provides for aprofessional code of conduct (Section 5). The law establishes aTourist Guide Regulatory Committee which performs an advisoryrole (Section 3). Guides cannot operate without a license (Section4). The federal government has the power to make rules and maydelegate its powers (Sections 11 and 12).6.1.9.5 Travel AgenciesAct 1976This act establishes a licensing mechanism, and seeks to regulatethe operations of travel agents by establishing rules and a code ofconduct (Section 16). Travel agencies cannot operate without alicence (Section 4). The functions of travel agencies under this actinclude transport, lodging and conducting guided tours (Section2(f)). The law does not provide for ecotourism nor does it containany provisions related to the protection of natural resources frompotential damage caused by the tourist industry.6.1.10 Import and ExportImport and export are federal subjects, included in the Federal Legislative List (Part I, item 27).Existing laws do not contain provisions to discourage the import of goods that damage theenvironment, or to encourage the import of environmentally friendly products. There are no provisionsrequiring data on imported goods that would permit a determination of their potential effect on theenvironment. The Export Processing Zone Authority Ordinance 1980 is the only legislation governingthis sector that contains a specific provision on pollution prevention and control.6.1.10.1 PakistanEnvironmental ProtectionAct 1997Under PEPA, the import of hazardous waste is prohibited (Section13). The Federal Agency is empowered to regulate the import andhandling of hazardous substances (Section 14). Penalties forviolations of Section 13 may extend to 1 million rupees, and forviolations of Section 14 to 100,000 rupees (Section 17).06Processes andInstitutions65EnvironmentalLaw in PakistanFederal