SC seeks reports from provinces on air pollution within three weeks

The Supreme Court’s (SC) constitutional bench has directed all four provinces to submit reports on anti-pollution measures within three weeks.

A constitutional bench led by Justice Jamal Mandokhail convened to hear the environmental pollution case, consolidating all related cases under one proceeding, Express News reported.

The court’s order emphasized the need for action on pollution control, noting that the case cannot be left indefinitely unresolved.

Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar added that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) chairperson's appointment process had been completed.

Justice Musarrat Hilali remarked that no brick could be laid without EPA approval, yet housing societies are proliferating unchecked.

She further noted that in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, marble factories operate adjacent to school buildings, and EPA officials rarely leave their offices for field inspections.

Justice Jamal Mandokhail questioned the EPA director-general about smog, a major issue today, asking for the causes of smog and measures to address it. The director-general replied that significant steps had been taken as per the court’s orders.

Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar raised concerns about the agency’s role, questioning whether it was the court’s job to oversee EPA responsibilities. He added that if the court has to supervise pollution issues, it raises doubts about the agency’s necessity.

Justice Naeem Afghan highlighted the rapid conversion of farmland into housing societies, remarking that Lahore has now expanded to Sheikhupura. He noted that fertile land in Islamabad is also being consumed by housing societies, questioning why flats aren't being promoted as an alternative to housing societies.

"Agriculture is being lost, and the environment is being polluted," he said.

Notably, originally brought to attention by former Chief Justice Nasim Hasan Shah in 1993 after a letter from Lord Nazir, continues to underscore the court’s commitment to addressing environmental degradation in Pakistan.