PHC slams inaction over climate crisis

Senior Judge of the Peshawar High Court, Justice Ijaz Anwar, has strongly criticized government inaction on climate change, remarking that while authorities hold meetings in luxurious hotels and talk endlessly about climate change, no real progress is being made on the ground.

"If no one intends to do any actual work, then let it all go. Just let whatever is happening continue as is," he stated sharply during a hearing.

Justice Anwar made these remarks while presiding over a case regarding environmental pollution. The hearing was conducted by a two-member bench comprising Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Fazal Subhan.

The court noted that roads have deteriorated significantly due to canal expansion. "Take a look at the road along the Bara River - it's in terrible condition. Heavy traffic runs on Canal Road, yet its condition remains abysmal. Forty years ago, even a tree branch encroaching on the road would be promptly cut down. Today, with all our machinery and resources, we can't even maintain basic infrastructure," Justice Anwar lamented.

The bench issued notices to relevant departments, demanding explanations in response to several environmental petitions.

During the proceedings, Director General of the Peshawar Development Authority (PDA), Muhammad Naeem, appeared in court alongside legal counsel Sabahuddin Advocate and officials from the Environmental Protection Agency.

The PDA's lawyer informed the court that both the Secretary of Local Government and the DG PDA had been summoned. He further stated that the High Court had previously issued directives regarding the canals and had appointed a commission for oversight. Work is currently underway on five key canals, he said.

However, Justice Anwar expressed dissatisfaction: "These canals have ruined the roads. There was supposed to be a separate drainage system. Instead, sewage water has been mixed with irrigation canals, rendering farmland unsuitable for growing vegetables."

The DG PDA admitted that only 15 per cent of the work has been completed since 2020 and that a treatment plant would be constructed after separating drainage from canal water. He cited a lack of funding as a major hurdle.

Justice Anwar responded critically, "The government talks about climate change every day, while officials are busy in meetings at five-star hotels. If no work is being done, then what is the point of all this?"

Counsel for the petitioner told the court that five years have passed, and the pollution has rendered agricultural land barren. Justice Anwar also inquired about progress on regulating stone-crushing plants.

The Legal Officer from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) told the court that reports have been requested from the district administration and the industry department regarding the crushing plants, and these would be submitted once received. The EPA also reported that 12 brick kilns have been converted to zigzag technology to reduce pollution.

A representative of the Irrigation Department informed the court that steps are being taken to prevent sewage from entering canal systems along Canal Road.

The court has summoned responses from all relevant parties and adjourned the hearing until the next scheduled date.