By 
14-11-2024
Hasom Jang
Team Pakistan Researcher,
Global Human Rights Defence.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan’s newly formed six-member constitutional bench commenced hearings on Thursday, addressing critical environmental cases that have lingered unresolved for decades. Led by Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan and joined by Justices Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Musarrat Hilali, and Naeem Akhtar Afghan, the bench’s first session highlighted the urgency of tackling escalating pollution and unchecked urban expansion.
Justice Hilali brought attention to the extensive development of housing societies that have begun consuming vital agricultural land. Justice Afghan noted that smog levels, particularly in Lahore, have reached alarming heights, now affecting nearby areas such as Sheikhupura. The bench criticised the lack of oversight from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with Justice Hilali expressing frustration over the agency’s inaction and limited fieldwork.
The bench further spotlighted the broad scope of pollution sources, ranging from vehicle emissions to industrial practices involving harmful petrol additives. Justice Mandokhail emphasised that environmental degradation is not limited to one region but is a nationwide crisis. Justice Mazhar pointed to the growth of marble factories and poultry farms near schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stressing the danger of permitting construction without prior EPA approval.
In response, the bench consolidated all environment-related cases and directed provincial governments to submit detailed reports on their pollution control measures within three weeks. This move reflects the court’s commitment to holding authorities accountable and ensuring comprehensive action to combat the pressing environmental issues facing Pakistan.
Sources and further readings:
ABBASI, J. (November 14th, 2024). Constitutional bench gets to business. The Express Tribune. Retrieved on November 14th, 2024 from https://tribune.com.pk/story/2509497/constitutional-bench-gets-to-business
Abdul Qayyum Siddiqui. (November 14th, 2024). Constitutional bench commences pending cases’ hearing. Retrieved on November 14th, 2024 from https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1250947-six-member-constitutional-bench-commences-pending-cases-hearing
Abdul Qayyum Siddiqui. (November 14th, 2024). In a first, Supreme Court’s constitutional bench hears decades-old pending cases. Retrieved on November 14th, 2024 from https://www.geo.tv/latest/574285-six-member-constitutional-bench-begins-hearing-pending-cases
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