CJP Isa has words of praise for 26th Amendment

The Supreme Court on Thursday praised the inclusion of Article 9A of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, which declares a healthy environment as a constitutional right.

On Thursday, a three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, heard a case concerning the cutting down of 218 Shisham trees in K-P.

During the proceedings, the outgoing CJ noted that according to a newspaper report a clause on environmental protection has been included in the Constitution through the 26th amendment.

The K-P additional advocate general (AAG) confirmed, stating that Article 9A of the 26th Amendment states that every citizen is entitled to a healthy environment.

The court, in its ruling, commended the inclusion of the environmental protection clause in the constitutional amendment, noting that, like a few other countries, Pakistan's Constitution now also mentions environmental protection.

It said the inclusion of a clean and healthy environment in the Constitution will help safeguard the natural environment. Scientifically, it has been proven that the health of nations depends on a good environment.

Islam also emphasizes the importance of a clean and healthy environment. Environmental pollution affects forests, rivers, and streams, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to live in many cities due to pollution, it added.

The court later disposed of the case regarding the protection of forests in the K-P.