Daily Times

Sir: We know laws do not mean much in our society. Shall we accept it and turn a blind eye to whatever and whoever is bending our present and future? If not, I strongly implore the Supreme Court of Pakistan and other relevant bodies to take action on potentially grave violations of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), as in the case of the construction of the huge complex Centaurus in the heart of Islamabad. EIA is mandatory under the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997.

Centaurus is being pushed by petro-currency from the shores abroad and eagerly supported by the vested interests of the elite property mafia in Pakistan. If such a project is indeed crucial for the “development” of our country, if only building tall plazas is the way to Dubai-like heaven, if only Singapore can be replicated in vertical habitation, then at least these rich people (and their lackeys) riding the oil-pumped money need to pay a reasonable cost for it. Why should such a colossal project be allowed to go ahead without proper scrutiny? What would be its impact on diminishing ground-water reservoirs in Islamabad and areas adjoining the capital? Why should the poor and middle class in the Saidpur village, I-10, Rawalpindi and katchi abadis suffer so that the very rich can breathe cleaner air at few thousand feet above everyone!
Environment, water, air are public goods. Anyone who has the most basic knowledge of anything knows this. The real question is how can passive (rather submissive) and toothless organisations like the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency be made, at least, slightly more effective so that it can begin to dream implementing laws effectively that were enacted a decade ago. Can it be done without the intervention of the Supreme Court of Pakistan? Rather un-likely.
FOQIA SADIQ KHAN
UK