Environmental Law in Pakistan - IUCN

smelting and processing operations; industries, and manufacturingand processing activities; highway construction projects, airportsand railway installations; hydel, water management and dams; andtourism development projects.The regulations provide for the monitoring of projects aftercompletion. Section 18 requires owners to submit an annual reportto the Federal Agency. This report must summarise operationalperformance with an emphasis on adequate maintenance andmeasures to mitigate adverse effects on the environment. TheFederal Agency is authorised to cancel the approval of any projectat any time on the basis of such reports or its own investigations, ifit is found that conditions of approval have been violated or falseinformation provided (Section 19).6.1.15.8 Public Health(Emergency Provisions)Ordinance 1994This ordinance deals with emergencies during which urgentmeasures are required to protect public health or prevent thespread of infectious disease. The appropriate government—thefederal government in relation to port authorities, the federalgovernment or cantonment local government in relation tocantonments, and the provincial government for all otherauthorities (Section 2(a))—may order a local authority to take thenecessary measures to protect public health (Section 3). The lawalso empowers the appropriate government to direct a localauthority to supply water to any area during an emergency (Section7). The appropriate government may make rules, by-laws andregulations (Sections 10 and 11), and issue “directions” in order tocarry out the purposes of this ordinance (Section 8). The law dealsprimarily with administrative rather than substantive issues.6.1.15.9 ExplosiveSubstances Act 1908This law regulates the possession and use of explosive substances,including materials for the manufacture of explosives as well asmachinery, tools and materials that can be used to cause anexplosion (Section 2). Causing an explosion is punishable with amaximum sentence of life in prison, whether or not the eventcauses any injury to persons or damage to property (Section 3). Thesame maximum penalty applies to making or possessing explosiveswith intent to cause an explosion (Section 4). Although the law doesnot specify conditions under which it is legal to possess explosivematerials, possession of such substances for a purpose that is not“lawful” is an offence (Section 5), implying that some form ofregulatory mechanism is to be put in place. Powers under this acthave been delegated to provincial governments, which may restrictor allow the courts to proceed with the trial of suspected offenders(Section 7). The 1908 law deals exclusively with causing explosionsor intent to cause explosions.6.1.15.10 ExplosivesAct 1884This law deals with manufacture, possession, sale, use andtransport of explosives. The government may prohibit themanufacture, possession or import of any explosive substance,except with a licence (Section 5), or ban outright the manufacture,06Processes andInstitutions71EnvironmentalLaw in PakistanFederal