On Wednesday, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Climate Change convened to address a variety of topics, including unlawful housing societies, soybean imports, and the Margalla Hills.

Nuzhat Pathan presided over the group, which included representatives from the Capital Development Authority (CDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Ministry of Climate Change.

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During the discussion, it was discovered that the twin towns of Islamabad and Rawalpindi have over 600 unlawful housing societies. According to Noor Ul Amin Mengal, Chairman of the CDA, there are 150 unlawful housing societies in Islamabad, 318 in Rawalpindi, and approximately 122 in Fateh Jang and Attock.

Members of the committee voiced worry about the environmental impact of these illegal housing organisations. According to them, these societies are frequently erected on unauthorised land and lack sufficient drainage and sewage facilities. This may result in pollution and flooding.

The committee also talked on soybean imports. Pakistan has been importing soybean meal since 2015, but shipments have been interrupted in recent months due to a shortage of licences, according to the committee.

Members of the committee stated that the government must take action to ensure that soybean imports restart. They stated that this is critical for the poultry sector, which relies on soybean meal for protein.

The group also discussed the Margalla Hills problem. The committee members voiced concern about the amount of visitors to the hills, claiming that it is putting a pressure on the ecosystem.

The committee suggested that the CDA erect a barrier around the Margalla Hills to keep people out. They also suggested that the CDA expand patrols in the highlands to deter unlawful activity.

The committee meeting was fruitful, yielding a number of proposals that will aid in the protection of the environment in the twin cities.