Pak-EPA Terminates Senior Officials Over Misconduct, Inefficiency, and Corruption Allegations

Pak-EPA Terminates Senior Officials Over Misconduct, Inefficiency, and Corruption Allegations

Nadeem Tanoli

Islamabad: The Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination has terminated the contracts of two senior officials of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) following allegations of misconduct, inefficiency, negligence, and corruption. The decision, taken in August and September 2025, has intensified calls for transparency and accountability within Pakistan’s environmental institutions.
According to official documents, Ms. Zakia Javed, serving as National Project Manager of the Biosafety Clearing House (Pak-BCH), and Ms. Mehnaz Pari, appointed as Law Officer (PPS-7), were removed from service after termination orders were issued by the Ministry. The two officers had been controversially appointed during the tenure of former Pak-EPA Director General , who is herself under suspension and facing departmental inquiries before the Anti-Corruption Circle of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in Islamabad.
The termination notice against Ms. Mehnaz Pari, dated 21 August 2025, detailed repeated incidents of unauthorized absences, late attendance, failure to complete official assignments, negligence in handling legal cases, and the unauthorized removal of records from the Admin Section of the BCH Project. Authorities noted that her failure to appear before the Environmental Tribunal led to the dismissal of five cases filed by Pak-EPA, with her conduct described as “casual and non-serious,” directly undermining the agency’s performance.
Ms. Zakia Javed was similarly removed through an order issued on 22 September 2025. She faced charges of inefficiency, gross misconduct, and negligence in the execution of her responsibilities as National Project Manager. Both terminations were made under the contractual provisions requiring a 30-day notice period, with reference to Civil Service rules allowing the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) to advise on unjustified appointments.
The Ministry clarified that the dismissals were carried out “in the best interest of the public at large and the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA),” directing both officers to hand over all official files, property, and records to the Admin Section before leaving office.
When contacted, Interim Director General of Pak-EPA Mrs. Nazia Zeb Ali declined to provide details, calling it an “internal departmental matter” approved by the Secretary of the Ministry. She stated, “This termination was done with the Secretary’s approval. It’s an internal move, and I do not find it necessary to disclose further details.”
The action comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of Pak-EPA and its Biosafety Clearing House Project, where questions have been raised regarding controversial appointments, misuse of authority, and weak enforcement of environmental law. Civil society groups have repeatedly demanded merit-based appointments, institutional reforms, and stronger oversight to restore public confidence in the agency.