"\u003chtml xmlns:o=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office\"\r\nxmlns:w=\"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word\"\r\nxmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40\"\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003chead\u003e\r\n\u003cmeta http-equiv=Content-Type content=\"text/html; charset=windows-1252\"\u003e\r\n\u003cmeta name=ProgId content=Word.Document\u003e\r\n\u003cmeta name=Generator content=\"Microsoft Word 11\"\u003e\r\n\u003cmeta name=Originator content=\"Microsoft Word 11\"\u003e\r\n\u003clink rel=File-List href=\"2015J4_files/filelist.xml\"\u003e\r\n\u003ctitle\u003eENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN PAKISTAN -\u003c/title\u003e\r\n\u003c!--[if gte mso 9]\u003e\u003cxml\u003e\r\n \u003co:DocumentProperties\u003e\r\n  \u003co:Author\u003eOratier\u003c/o:Author\u003e\r\n  \u003co:Template\u003eNormal\u003c/o:Template\u003e\r\n  \u003co:LastAuthor\u003eOratier\u003c/o:LastAuthor\u003e\r\n  \u003co:Revision\u003e2\u003c/o:Revision\u003e\r\n  \u003co:TotalTime\u003e0\u003c/o:TotalTime\u003e\r\n  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Section1\r\n\t{size:8.5in 11.0in;\r\n\tmargin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;\r\n\tmso-header-margin:.5in;\r\n\tmso-footer-margin:.5in;\r\n\tmso-paper-source:0;}\r\ndiv.Section1\r\n\t{page:Section1;}\r\n--\u003e\r\n\u003c/style\u003e\r\n\u003c!--[if gte mso 10]\u003e\r\n\u003cstyle\u003e\r\n /* Style Definitions */\r\n table.MsoNormalTable\r\n\t{mso-style-name:\"Table Normal\";\r\n\tmso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;\r\n\tmso-tstyle-colband-size:0;\r\n\tmso-style-noshow:yes;\r\n\tmso-style-parent:\"\";\r\n\tmso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;\r\n\tmso-para-margin:0in;\r\n\tmso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;\r\n\tmso-pagination:widow-orphan;\r\n\tfont-size:10.0pt;\r\n\tfont-family:\"Times New Roman\";\r\n\tmso-ansi-language:#0400;\r\n\tmso-fareast-language:#0400;\r\n\tmso-bidi-language:#0400;}\r\n\u003c/style\u003e\r\n\u003c![endif]--\u003e\r\n\u003c/head\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cbody lang=EN-US style=\u0027tab-interval:.5in;text-justify-trim:punctuation\u0027\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cdiv class=Section1\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal align=center style=\u0027text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;\r\nmso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cb\u003eENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN\r\nPAKISTAN \u003c/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol\u0027\u003e-\u003c/span\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal align=center style=\u0027text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;\r\nmso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cb\u003eIMPACT OF CASE-LAW\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal align=center style=\u0027text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;\r\nmso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal align=center style=\u0027text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;\r\nmso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cb\u003eBy\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal align=center style=\u0027text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;\r\nmso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal align=center style=\u0027text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;\r\nmso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cb\u003eAhmad Nazir Warraich\u003csup\u003e1\u003c/sup\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal align=center style=\u0027text-align:center;mso-pagination:none;\r\nmso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cb\u003eMuhammad Bilal Ramzan\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbstract:\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e            \u003c/span\u003eEnvironmental\r\ndegradation is a major global concern. In Pakistan, as well, we are struggling\r\nto find ways to deal with it. The Parliament has passed legislation for\r\nprotection of the environment. This paper will examine the current legal\r\nsituation with regard to environmental protection, and in the process discuss\r\nthe role played by the honorable courts in creating an enabling procedural\r\nframework for the protection of environment. The paper looks at the gaps and\r\nbottlenecks that existed for the petitioner to approach the superior courts and\r\nhow the superior courts through various cases, starting from the seminal Shehla\r\nZia case (PLD 1994 SC 693) down to the present day have through hearing many\r\npetitions impacted this area. The impact has been two fold; relief in the\r\nparticular case and broadening of the potential for judicial intervention for\r\nenvironmental protection.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cb\u003eBackground \u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e            \u003c/span\u003eThe\r\nemergence of environmental protection law in the last four decades is a\r\nmanifestation of global desire to combat the deteriorating standards of\r\nenvironment by encouraging enactment of laws and policy guidelines to prevent\r\nirreparable loss to it. The magnitude of the task required an all-inclusive and\r\nparticipatory approach whereby not only experts but civil-society organizations\r\ncould also play their part in the formation of laws and act as pressure groups\r\nto force governments to adopt a sustainable approach to growth and, thereby,\r\nstriking a balance between environmental protection and development. Since the\r\nconclusion of Stockholm Declaration in 1972, more than 500 international\r\nenvironmental agreements have been concluded\u003csup\u003e3\u003c/sup\u003e and the interest in\r\nthe subject only gains in momentum with every passing day. Pakistan, being a\r\nresponsible member of international community was quick to respond to the\r\nglobal need and adopted not only relevant international conventions, such as\r\nthe Convention on Biological Diversity\u003csup\u003e4\u003c/sup\u003e, but also put in place\r\nnational legislation. It is pertinent to note that centre is responsible to\r\nincorporate its international commitments in the domestic law by virtue of\r\nitems numbers 3 and 32 of the federal legislative list.\u003csup\u003e5\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e            \u003c/span\u003eOne\r\nof the primary purposes for putting in place environmental legislation was to\r\ncouple development with environment protection in order to keep a balance\r\nbetween economic growth and the use of resources\u003csup\u003e6\u003c/sup\u003e. Being mindful of\r\nthe need to preserve environment, Pakistan was quick to establish the Ministry\r\nfor Environment (hereinafter referred to as the Ministry) in 1975.\u003csup\u003e7\u003c/sup\u003e\r\nThe Ministry was mandated with the task to ensure the implementation of\r\nEnvironmental Protection Ordinance, 1983 wherein an institutional framework was\r\nprovided at national and provincial level in the form of establishment of\r\nEnvironmental Protection Agencies and Pakistan Environmental Protection Council\r\n(hereinafter referred to as PEPC), then headed by the President as provided for\r\nin section 3 of the said Ordinance. Later, through an amendment, Prime Minister\r\nwas designated as its head. Main functions entrusted to the Council included\r\nformation of the national environmental policy and enforcement of National Environment\r\nQuality Standards.\u003csup\u003e8\u003c/sup\u003e After the conclusion of the Rio Summit, commonly\r\nknown as the Earth Summit, National Conservation Strategy (hereinafter referred\r\nto as NCS) was introduced to address the environmental concerns.\u003csup\u003e9\u003c/sup\u003e\r\nNCS was designed to meet three objectives; conservation of natural resources,\r\nsustainable development and improved efficiency in the use and management of\r\nresources and it highlighted fourteen key areas in respect of which policy\r\nguidelines were recommended.\u003csup\u003e10\u003c/sup\u003e In 1993, Environmental Protection\r\nAgency issued a statutory notification whereby it introduced National\r\nEnvironmental Quality Standards (hereinafter referred to as NEQS). NEQS related\r\nto \u0027municipal and liquid industrial effluents, industrial gaseous emissions and\r\nmotor vehicle exhaust, and noise.\u0027\u003csup\u003e11\u003c/sup\u003e The current applicable legal\r\nframework was provided in Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997\r\n(hereinafter referred to as PEPA) which repealed the earlier Ordinance and is\r\ndiscussed in the next section.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cb\u003eRelevant legal framework:\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e            \u003c/span\u003eConstitution\r\nof Pakistan, 1973 does not contain any provision whereby an explicit mention of\r\nenvironment has been made. Before concurrent legislative list was repealed\r\nunder the eighteenth (18th) amendment, item number 24 of the list mentioned\r\n\u0026quot;environmental pollution and ecology\u0026quot; thereby allowing both centre\r\nand provinces to legislate on the subject.\u003csup\u003e12\u003c/sup\u003e However, the courts, by\r\nemploying \u0027expansive interpretation\u0027 have read environmental aspect into\r\ncertain fundamental rights provisions to be discussed in the seminal case of\r\nShehla Zia v Wapda (1994). The basic framework, otherwise, is contained in\r\nPEPA, 1997.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e            \u003c/span\u003ePEPA\r\nreceived the assent of the President on December 3, 1997. It was designed as an\r\nover arching legal framework seeking to comprehensively cover aspects related\r\nto environmental protection in Pakistan. The preamble to the law states, \u0027An\r\nAct to provide for the protection, conservation, rehabilitation and improvement\r\nof the environment, for the prevention and control of pollution, anti promotion\r\nof sustainable development.\u0027\u003csup\u003e13\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e            \u003c/span\u003eAnd\r\nthe term environment, as per the Act, includes:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e(a)\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e        \u003c/span\u003eair,\r\nwater and land;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e(b)\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e        \u003c/span\u003eall\r\nlayers of the atmosphere;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e(c)\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e        \u003c/span\u003eall\r\norganic and inorganic matters and living organisms;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e(d)\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e        \u003c/span\u003ethe\r\necosystem and ecological relationships;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e(e)\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e        \u003c/span\u003ebuildings,\r\nstructures, roads, facilities and works;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e(f)\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e         \u003c/span\u003eall\r\nsocial and economic conditions affecting community life; and\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e(g)\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e        \u003c/span\u003ethe\r\ninter-relationships between any of the factors in sub-clauses (a) to (f)\u003csup\u003e14\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e            \u003c/span\u003ePEPA\r\nretained PEPC and allowed Prime Minister, as head of the PEPC, to nominate any\r\nother person on his behalf.\u003csup\u003e15\u003c/sup\u003e Functions entrusted to the council\r\nremained same as were provided for under the now repealed Ordinance. PEPA\r\nprovides for environmental protection agencies in both, centre and provinces,\r\nwhereby the provincial agencies enjoyed power resulting from delegation from\r\ncentral to respective provincial government which would further delegate them\r\nto the provincial agency.\u003csup\u003e16\u003c/sup\u003e As a result of the eighteenth (18th)\r\namendment to the Constitution of Pakistan, subject of environment, amongst\r\nothers, was devolved to the provinces. Constitution, however, provides that the\r\nlaws in force before the commencement of the amendment shall continue to remain\r\nin force until altered, repealed or amended by the competent authority.\u003csup\u003e17\u003c/sup\u003e\r\nThe relevant provincial legislation, in this regard, has been referred to later\r\nin this section. Chief functions of the federal agency include; enforcement of\r\nthe Act, preparation of national environmental policy and NEQS with the\r\napproval of the Council. It may also, \u0027Undertake inquiries of investigation\r\ninto environmental issues, either of its own accord or upon complaint of any\r\nperson or organization.\u0027\u003csup\u003e18\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e            \u003c/span\u003ePEPA\r\nprohibits discharge \u0027of any effluent or waste or air pollutant or noise in an\r\namount; concentration or level which is in excess of the National Environmental\r\nQuality Standards.\u0027\u003csup\u003e19\u003c/sup\u003e One of its significant features is the\r\nenvironmental assessment; initial environmental examination, which needs to be\r\ndone before a project is undertaken in order to assess the risks the project\r\nmay pose to the environment \u0027for requiring preparation of an environmental\r\nimpact assessment\u0027\u003csup\u003e20\u003c/sup\u003e (hereinafter referred to as EIA) where the\r\nproject has the probability of leaving a negative impact on the environment.\u003csup\u003e21\u003c/sup\u003e\r\nSchedule to the Act contains a list of international conventions with respect\r\nto which the federal government, as mentioned above, has the power to make\r\nrules for implementing their provisions.\u003csup\u003e22\u003c/sup\u003e It is pertinent to note\r\nthat these would remain unenforceable unless the federal government or the\r\nprovincial government in accordance with the relevant Act prescribes rules to\r\nput their provisions into effect.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e            \u003c/span\u003eSince\r\nthe passage of the eighteenth amendment, all the four provinces have passed\r\nenvironmental protection legislation thereby effectively replacing the national\r\nlegislation in the provincial jurisdiction i.e. Punjab, Sindh, Khyber\r\nPakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e            \u003c/span\u003eIt\r\nis important to mention the name of Honorable Mr. Justice Saleem Akhtar\u003csup\u003e23\u003c/sup\u003e,\r\nwho many believe played a pivotal role in promoting environmental protection\r\nthrough judicial action.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003eImpact of the Case-Law, Innovation and principles of\r\nlaw\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e            \u003c/span\u003eAn\r\nimportant aspect of studying the impact of case-law to study how superior\r\njudiciary has provided for necessary legal and procedural framework which is a\r\nprerequisite for assuming jurisdiction over matters of environmental protection\r\nunder the rubric of \u0027public interest litigation. Before we look at the impact\r\nof case-law on environmental protection, we need to look at the issues which\r\nwere a hindrance with regard to the courts\u0027 ability to provide relief. The\r\nfirst problem was that under an adversarial system, being an aggrieved person\r\nis a necessary condition for having a locus standi before the court of law. Related\r\nto this is the problem that the courts do not traditionally have an\r\ninquisitorial role under common law systems. Finally, PEPA has an ouster\r\nclause, which does not allow courts to hear the case at the initial stage, and\r\nonly allows them to hear appeals from the tribunal.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e            \u003c/span\u003ePEPA,\r\nspecifically provides for establishment of environmental tribunals. A\r\ncomplaint, in respect of matters enumerated in section 17 of PEPA, may be\r\naddressed to the tribunal by either the agency or government agency or local\r\ncouncil and any aggrieved person provided he has made a notice of his complaint\r\nto the respective agency with the intent to file the same before the\r\nenvironmental tribunal.\u003csup\u003e24\u003c/sup\u003e In addition, the law explicitly states\r\nthat the tribunals shall have exclusive jurisdiction to deal with matters that\r\nfall under the Act and, thereby, precludes jurisdiction of any other court to\r\nhear the case at the trial stage. Though, an appeal can be preferred to the\r\nHigh Court. The superior courts have, however, maintained that the finality\r\nclause cannot preclude the power of judicial review.\u003csup\u003e25\u003c/sup\u003e In General\r\nSecretary Salt Miners Labour Union (CBA) Khewra, Jhelum v. The Director,\r\nIndustries and Mineral Development, Punjab, Lahore (1994)\u003csup\u003e26\u003c/sup\u003e, the\r\ncourt made it clear that procedural bottlenecks cannot restrict the ability of\r\nthe court to hear cases affecting rights of the people, at large. In this case,\r\nit stated:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e            \u003c/span\u003e\u0026quot;It\r\nis well settled that in human rights cases/public interest litigation under\r\nArticle 184 (3), the procedural trappings and restrictions, precondition of\r\nbeing an aggrieved person and other similar technical objections, cannot bar\r\nthe jurisdiction of the Court.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e            \u003c/span\u003eThe\r\nhonorable courts primarily adopted this approach to distance themselves from\r\nthe traditional common law adversarial approach. As this approach is more\r\nsuitable in cases which involve the rights of one person against another,\r\nrather than the rights which rest in things, such as environment, which is\r\nshared by large groups of people and citizens at large and which poor people\r\ndon\u0027t have the means to protect, so that unions, non-governmental organizations\r\nand other bodies working for environmental and other causes can bring cases\r\nbefore the court to protect the vulnerable against the environmental hazards\r\nwho may otherwise be left without redress owing to lack of education or\r\nresources to approach the court. In an Indian Case, Bandhua Mukti Morcha v.\r\nUnion of India and others (1984)\u003csup\u003e27\u003c/sup\u003e, Justice Bhagwati noted to this\r\neffect that:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e            \u003c/span\u003e\u0026quot;[s]trict\r\nadherence to the adversarial procedure can sometimes lead to injustice.... it\r\nis necessary to depart from the adversarial procedure and to evolve a new\r\nprocedure which will make it possible for the poor and the weak to bring\r\nnecessary material before the Court for the purpose of securing enforcement of\r\ntheir Fundamental Rights.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e            \u003c/span\u003eSimilarly,\r\nLahore High Court in State v M.D. WASA(2000)\u003csup\u003e28\u003c/sup\u003e noted:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e            \u003c/span\u003e\u0026quot;The\r\nrationale behind public interest litigation in developing countries like\r\nPakistan and India is the social and educational backwardness of its people,\r\nthe dwarfed development of law of tort, lack of developed institutions to\r\nattend to the matters of public concern, the general inefficiency and\r\ncorruption at various levels. In such a socio-economic and political milieu,\r\nthe non-intervention by Courts in complaints of matters of public concern will\r\namount to abdication of judicial authority.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e            \u003c/span\u003eThe\r\nCourt, in the foregoing case, also pointed towards the possibility of judicial\r\nintervention where the court deems it appropriate. The suo motu notices are a\r\nreflection of the court\u0027s intent and, as put by Dr. Pervez Hassan, \u0026quot;show\r\nthe acute concern of the Pakistani judiciary to perform their functions towards\r\nadvancing justice so far as circumstances and their powers permit.\u0026quot;\u003csup\u003e29\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e            \u003c/span\u003eOne\r\nof the essential differences between adversarial and public interest litigation\r\nis that in the latter \u0026quot;proceedings conducted by the court are\r\ninquisitorial rather than adversarial, and they tend to be discretionary,\r\nincorporating any elements of informal procedure which the judge considers\r\nappropriate to follow.\u0026quot;\u003csup\u003e30\u003c/sup\u003e It needs to be mentioned here that\r\nthe inquisitorial system is practiced in the European continental civil legal\r\nsystems, whereas common law works on the basis of adversarial system. The\r\nreason for broadening the purview of their jurisdiction and to innovate new\r\nprocedures is to ensure that the court interprets the law avoiding procedural\r\ntechnicalities so that justice is done. In an adversarial legal system, the\r\njudge is neutral whereas in an inquisitorial system he plays a more active role\r\nand as part of combining inquisitorial with adversarial legal system the courts\r\nhave devised the system of appointment of expert commissions to probe the\r\nhazards which may accrue as a result of a project is an example of the\r\ninquisitorial procedures adopted by the courts in public interest litigation to\r\nfill in the \u0027gap\u0027 that the court exercises in matters related to environmental\r\nprotection since judges require the help of environmental experts to understand\r\nthe environmental impact.\u003csup\u003e31\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e            \u003c/span\u003eThe\r\nlandmark public interest environmental litigation is considered to be Shehla\r\nZia v WAPDA (1994).\u003csup\u003e32\u003c/sup\u003e The case preceded PEPA whereby it was\r\nsubmitted before the Honorable Supreme Court that whether the life of a citizen\r\ncan be endangered by an action undertaken by an agency of the government\r\nwithout the consent of the citizen. This case is important for quite a few\r\nreasons. Firstly, the honorable Supreme Court broadened the right to life\r\n(Article 9) to include the right to clean environment and made the following\r\nobservation as obiter dicta:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e            \u003c/span\u003e\u0026quot;The\r\nword \u0026quot;life\u0026quot; has not been defined in the Constitution but it does not\r\nmean nor can be restricted only to the vegetative or animal life or mere\r\nexistence from conception to death. Life includes all such amenities and\r\nfacilities which a person born in a free country is entitled to enjoy with\r\ndignity, legally and constitutionally. A person is entitled to protection of\r\nlaw from being exposed to hazards of electromagnetic fields or any other such\r\nhazards which may be due to installation and construction of any grid station,\r\nany factory, power station or such like installations.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e            \u003c/span\u003eSecondly,\r\nthe honorable Court while being mindful of the need for economic development\r\nobserved that a balance needs to be struck between the rights of the citizens\r\nand the economic progress and prosperity of the country. Thus, the Court\r\nhighlighted that a \u0027policy of sustainable development\u0027 shall be adopted.\r\nThirdly, the Court gave weightage to expert opinion and the importance of\r\nresearch in technical matters. The Court was mindful of the fact that up-to\r\ndate information and research must be available at all times to consider the\r\neffects which hazardous material may have on human health. This is significant\r\nbecause the Court rightly adopted evolutory interpretation on the matter for\r\nnature of the law is one which required the Court to deal with it as a living\r\ninstrument constantly evolving with scientific research on the subject. Lastly,\r\nthe Supreme Court introduced the precautionary principle in the Pakistani\r\njurisprudence. This was adopted from the Rio Declaration albeit it is not\r\nbinding. The said Principle 15 of Rio Declaration provides:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e            \u003c/span\u003e\u0026quot;...Where\r\nthere are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific\r\ncertainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost effective measures\r\nto prevent environmental degradation\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e            \u003c/span\u003eIn\r\nthe same case, the honorable Supreme Court further noted:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e            \u003c/span\u003e\u0026quot;Pakistan\r\nis a developing country. It cannot afford the researches and studies made in\r\ndeveloped countries on scientific problems particularly the subject at hand.\r\nHowever, the researches and their conclusions with reference to specific cases\r\nare available, the information and knowledge is at hand and we should take\r\nbenefit out of it. In this background if we consider the problem faced by us in\r\nthis case, it seems reasonable to take preventive and precautionary measures straightaway\r\ninstead of maintaining status quo because there is no conclusive finding on the\r\neffect of electromagnetic fields on human life.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e            \u003c/span\u003eThe\r\nCourt, though, as can be deduced from the abovementioned case are ready to give\r\nan expansive interpretation in cases of environmental protection but at the\r\nsame time they do not seem to go so far as to frustrate the projects which are\r\nundertaken by the Government as a result of compelling circumstances. In\r\nCutting of Trees for Canal Widening Project, Lahore (2011)\u003csup\u003e33\u003c/sup\u003e, the\r\nHonorable Supreme Court laid down some important principles to achieve a\r\nbalance between economic growth and preservation of the environment. It was\r\nobserved that the alleged violation of a fundamental right will not vitiate the\r\nnecessity of a project so long as it can be shown that; alternative proposals\r\nwere duly considered, EIA was given clearance by the concerned agency and\r\ndoctrine of public trust or precautionary principle were not violated. In this\r\nregard the Court made reference to Professor David Takacs\u0027s\u003csup\u003e34\u003c/sup\u003e work\r\nwherein the elements of Public Trust Doctrine are explained as follows:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u0026quot;(i)\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e        \u003c/span\u003ethe\r\nsovereign holds certain resources in trust for the common good;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e(ii)\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e        \u003c/span\u003eThe\r\npublic has some kind of right to protection of these resources: and\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e(iii)\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e       \u003c/span\u003eWhile\r\ndemocracy may seem subverted when a court overrules the acts of elected\r\nofficials, such judicial acts in fact serve democracy by preserving rights\r\ninvested in all the people.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e            \u003c/span\u003eThe\r\npreceding case-law is an example of how the courts will not second guess the\r\njudgment of the relevant agency so long as all the legal requirements are met\r\nand the law is abided by in true spirit. Secondly, by making reference to the\r\ndoctrine of Public Trust, court has made it evident that it is for the state to\r\ndecide what constitutes greater good of the society and not the public and that\r\nthe court will only overturn an official act where it deems the same to be\r\nagainst the interest of the public at large.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e            \u003c/span\u003eIn\r\nanother important case, Syed MANSOOR ALI SHAH and 4 others v GOVERNMENT OP\r\nPUNJAB, through Housing, Physical and Environmental Planning Department, and 3\r\nothers (2007)\u003csup\u003e35\u003c/sup\u003e, the Honorable Lahore High Court while dealing with\r\nthe issue of air pollution caused by vehicular emissions directed the relevant\r\nauthorities to take concrete steps to implement the recommendations of the\r\nCommission appointed by the Court in the said case. One of the key suggestions\r\nin the case was the phasing out of two stroke rickshaws from Lahore. The case\r\nis important for two reasons. One, the court directed the authorities to\r\nundertake measures so that suggestions of the Commission could be implemented\r\nwhat would otherwise have been a policy decision. This reflects that the court\r\nmay be ready to venture into-policy domain if the relevant authorities fail to\r\ntake measures in order to preserve the environment and to prevent public from\r\nbeing affected by the hazards of its degradation. Secondly, the attention of\r\nthe Court was drawn to the international conventions that Pakistan is a part of\r\nwhereby she has made commitments to take measures to improve the environmental\r\nsituation. This suggests that there is a trend in cases related to protection\r\nof environment that the court would delve into the international environmental\r\ntreaties and the principles laid therein to reach a conclusion even in the\r\nabsence of an enabling legislation or rules made to that effect. The Court made\r\nthe following observation:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e            \u003c/span\u003e\u0026quot;Pakistan\r\nis party to 2001 Stockholm Convention; which is a global treaty to protect\r\nhuman health and environment from Persistent Organic Pollution (POP). Pakistan\r\nhas also joined the global community being party to 1985 Vienna Convention on\r\nProtection of Ozone Layer. Pakistan has signed the 1992 United Nations\r\nFramework Convention on Climates Change (UNFCCC). The objective of the\r\nConvention is the stabilization of greenhouse gas concentration in the\r\natmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference\r\nwith the climate system. Pakistan is also signatory of 1990 International Oil Pollution\r\nPreparedness, Response and Cooperation.\u0026quot;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e            \u003c/span\u003eSimilarly,\r\nin a recent case titled, YOUNG DOCTORS ASSOCIATION and others v GOVERNMENT OF\r\nPAKISTAN and others (2015)\u003csup\u003e36\u003c/sup\u003e, the court other than commenting on the\r\ndoctrine of Public Trust, mentioned earlier, deliberated on the term\r\n\u0027sustainable development\u0027 and made reference to URBAN 21 conference that was\r\nheld in Berlin in 2000, after PEPA had been introduced. This signifies that\r\nCourt does not keep itself confined to the actual definition given in the Act but\r\nwould move beyond the Act to understand the parameters if so needed in order to\r\nkeep the Act applicable to emerging circumstances. Though, a study titled\r\n\u0027Development of Environmental Law and Jurisprudence in Pakistan done by Irum\r\nAhsan and Saima Amin Khawaja, suggests that the courts have not made too much\r\nuse of the internationally recognized environmental principles\u003csup\u003e37\u003c/sup\u003e but\r\nthe references made to up to date research and to assign meanings to the terms\r\nused under PEPA in keeping with later instruments seems to suggest, the intent\r\nto judge the matters of environmental protection in accordance with evolving\r\ninternational standards.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e            \u003c/span\u003eIn\r\nanother case, the SINDH INSTITUTE OF UROLOGY AND TRANSPLANTATION and others v.\r\nNESTLE MILKPAK LIMITED and others (2005)\u003csup\u003e38\u003c/sup\u003e, the Court noted that\r\nthough an owner of the land has the right to lawful enjoyment of his property\r\nbut such a right is not unfettered and is subject to certain conditions. In the\r\npresent case, Nestle wanted to acquire a land for the purposes of setting up a\r\nwater bottling plant which would have resulted in exploitation of the sub soil\r\nwater. The Court made reference to Principle 2 of Stockholm Declaration;\r\n\u0026quot;The natural resources of the earth, including the air, water, land, flora\r\nand fauna especially representative, samples of natural eco systems, must be\r\nsafeguarded for the benefit of present and future generations through careful\r\nplanning or management, as appropriate.\u0026quot; It was noted in the judgment that\r\nunfettered exploitation of natural resources cannot be allowed and must be kept\r\nin check. Thus, the courts while ensuring the greater good of the society are\r\nonly ready to expand but also curtail the rights where necessary.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cb\u003eConclusion\u003co:p\u003e\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003cspan style=\u0027mso-tab-count:1\u0027\u003e            \u003c/span\u003eThe\r\nabove discussion shows that the role of the courts in Pakistan has been\r\nimportant in the protection of environment. Although in the opinion of some,\r\nthe courts may have stepped outside their traditional role of only declaring\r\nwhat the law is, by adopting an \u0027expansive and evolutory\u0027 interpretative\r\napproach. However, it needs to be kept in mind that the best of the laws may\r\nnot be able to provide access to \u0027justice\u0027, due to a number of \u0027roabdlocks\u0027.\r\nOne of them being the procedural bottlenecks. We have seen in the cases\r\ndiscussed in this paper that the courts have through various cases provided a\r\nroute to the affected party to approach the courts, by allowing NGOs, and other\r\ninterest groups etc., to approach the courts, on behalf of the disenfranchised\r\nand disempowered poor and vulnerable affected parties. In addition, another\r\n\u0027roadblock\u0027 so to say, has been the ouster clause in the relevant legislation;\r\nagain the courts, in keeping with international judicial trend, have continued\r\nto respect legislative authority, but still managed to provide a judicial\r\noversight to executive actions, through the use of their inherent and\r\nconstitutional powers of judicial review. Thus in the presence of exclusive\r\ninitial jurisdiction of environmental tribunals, superior judiciary continues\r\nto entertain writ petitions and take suo motu notices. This approach has\r\nresulted in some misgivings on part of those who feel that the traditional\r\ndeclaratory role of the judiciary is to apply the letter of the law only, and\r\nin their opinion this has been extended as a result of this judicial role.\r\nThough, the authors believe that judiciary as a principle, should continue\r\nperforming its task of interpreting the law and avoid the perception of\r\nstepping into the domain of Legislature and Executive, it is also noted that,\r\nwith regard to environmental protection, the lack of sufficient interest shown\r\nby the Legislature and the Executive has necessitated the judicial intervention\r\nin this domain. Otherwise, the environmental protection framework may have\r\nfailed to achieve any significant functionality in Pakistan. It is hoped that\r\nin the future the Legislature will step in to make necessary legal changes to\r\nprovide easier access to those affected by environmental degradation and the\r\nExecutive will prove much more sensitive to environmental concerns and tackle\r\nthem in a decidedly more robust manner. If this happens, it would obviate the\r\nneed for judges to play such a role. It needs to be mentioned however, that the\r\nExecutive and the Legislature are tied by the compulsions of political economy\r\nand the nature of our politics is patronage based, and therefore for the\r\nforeseeable future it is likely that the environmentalists will continue to\r\nlook to the judiciary for applying the doctrine of public trust for\r\nenvironmental protection.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp class=MsoNormal style=\u0027text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:\r\nnone;text-autospace:none\u0027\u003e\u003co:p\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/o:p\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003c/div\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003c/body\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003c/html\u003e\r\n"