EPA Punjab inaugurates centre for knowledge exchange, policy dialogue

LAHORE: In a major step toward strengthening environmental governance, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Punjab has inaugurated the Centre for Knowledge Exchange and Policy Dialogue (CKE&PD), a new platform aimed at promoting research, collaboration, and policy innovation in environmental protection.

The centre was formally inaugurated by Director General EPA Punjab Imran Hamid Sheikh and Secretary Environment Protection & Climate Change Department (EP&CCD) Silwat Saeed who jointly unveiled the start of its official operations.

Envisioned as a transformative hub, the CKE&PD will support the statutory mandates of EPA Punjab under the Punjab Environmental Protection Act, 1997 (amended 2012), while also functioning as a think tank and knowledge-sharing platform for environmental stakeholders across the province.

Addressing the ceremony, DG EPA Punjab Imran Hamid Sheikh said the initiative marked “a critical step forward in embedding research-driven policymaking, promoting sustainability, and equipping our teams and stakeholders with the tools to address pressing environmental challenges effectively.”

Under the Act, EPA Punjab is entrusted with a range of responsibilities, which the newly established centre aims to streamline and strengthen. The CKE&PD will assist in preparing and coordinating environmental policies, publishing the annual Punjab Environmental Report, promoting research and technological development, providing data and guidance to policymakers, and enhancing public awareness through education campaigns, workshops, and media engagement.

The centre will also encourage the development of non-governmental, community, and village-level organizations working to prevent pollution and promote sustainable development. “The centre will act as a bridge between knowledge and action, transforming research insights into effective policies and programs,” said Secretary EP&CCD Silwat Saeed.

Beyond its statutory role, the CKE&PD will serve as a national hub for environmental expertise by organizing national and international workshops, seminars, and policy dialogues, fostering collaboration among academics, policymakers, and industry experts.

A key feature of the centre will be a centralized repository of environmental data, research, and case studies, providing policymakers, researchers, and the public with access to reliable information. It will also offer a platform for researchers to share findings and translate knowledge into actionable recommendations.

“With its holistic vision, the CKE&PD is set to become the intellectual nerve centre of EPA Punjab,” Imran Hamid Sheikh said, adding, “This is more than an administrative initiative; it reflects our strong commitment to the environment and to future generations.”

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026