Islamabad: The Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination, (MoCCEC) has assigned Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) Mrs. Nazia Zeb Ali as interim Director General of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) following the suspension of Director General Mrs. Farzana Altaf Shah. The appointment will remain in effect during the suspension or until further orders.
According to official documents, the decision was approved by the Federal Secretary for Climate Change (MoCCEC) and formally notified by Deputy Secretary (Admin) Raza Hasan. The reshuffle comes as Pak-EPA faces scrutiny over its performance and internal management.
Mrs. Farzana Altaf Shah’s suspension follows an inquiry initiated on the Prime Minister’s directive. A charge sheet issued on March 28, 2025, accuses her of inefficiency, misconduct, and mismanagement. She has been given two weeks to submit a written defense, failing which proceedings will continue ex parte.
The charges include negligence in handling environmental duties, failure to curb worsening air quality in Islamabad, delays in addressing complaints on the Prime Minister’s Portal, and mistreatment of subordinates. Complaints from private firms also cite unjustified delays in permit issuance, particularly for genetically modified soybean imports.
Muhammad Asad Islam Mahni, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Industries and Production, has been appointed as the inquiry officer, tasked with concluding the probe within 60 days. The Climate Ministry’s Deputy Secretary (Admin) will assist in ensuring access to case files.
Mrs. Shah’s suspension is enacted for 120 days under Rule 5(1) of the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020. The decision is set to be published in the upcoming Weekly Gazette of Pakistan.
As Mrs. Nazia Zeb Ali takes interim charge, stakeholders will be closely watching whether this leadership change improves Pak-EPA’s accountability and effectiveness.