Environmental Law in Pakistan - IUCN

6.1.11.2 Pakistan PlantQuarantine Act 1976This act implements the provisions of the International PlantProtection Convention (1951). The federal government regulates themovement of plants into the country as a means to prevent the importof agricultural pests and disease (Section 3). The federal governmentmay make rules and delegate its powers (Sections 9 and 10).6.1.11.3 Pakistan PenalCode 1860Under the PPC, non-compliance with quarantine rules is apunishable offence (Section 271).6.1.12 Inter-Provincial TradeThis subject is included in the Federal Legislative List (Part I, item 27). According to the Constitution,the federal legislature may impose restrictions on free trade between provinces or within a province,“as may be required in the public interest” (Article 151(2)). Moreover, provincial assemblies areexplicitly prohibited from framing laws that restrict trade, and from imposing any tax that“discriminates” against goods manufactured in other provinces (Article 151(3)). The provinces may,however, with prior consent from the president, frame laws to impose “reasonable” restrictions in theinterest of public health, “public order or morality”; to protect animals and plants from disease; or toalleviate shortages of “essential” goods and commodities (Article 151(4)).6.1.13 Research InstitutionsFederal “agencies and institutes” for research are included in the Federal Legislative List (Part I,item 16). Such institutions are empowered to undertake a wide range of activities, but none isexplicitly instructed or encouraged to focus on natural resources or environmental issues.6.1.13.1 PakistanEnvironmental ProtectionAct 1997Among the functions that PEPA assigns to the Federal Agency isthe responsibility to set up systems to conduct and promoteresearch into pollution prevention and control (Section 6(1)(i)).6.1.13.2 Pakistan Spaceand Upper AtmosphereResearch CommissionOrdinance 1981This ordinance establishes the Space Research Council and thePakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission.The Council is a policy-making body (Section 4), while theCommission prepares and submits proposals, conducts surveys,and undertakes research and development to implement thepolicies of the Council (Section 9). The Council has wide powersunder the law, although it has no express responsibilities related toenvironmental research. The federal government may make rulesto carry out the purposes of this ordinance (Section 23).6.1.13.3 PakistanAgricultural ResearchCouncil Ordinance 1981This ordinance deals exclusively with the establishment of thePakistan Agricultural Research Council and the conduct of itsbusiness. The functions of the Council include agriculturalresearch; the generation, collection and dissemination ofinformation related to agriculture; and maintaining a reference andresearch library (Section 4). The law empowers the federal06Processes andInstitutions67EnvironmentalLaw in PakistanFederal