Environment friendly? SHC extends stay against construction of nuclear plants
PAEC and PAERA filed their reports, stating that the 2 plants were completely safe for both humans and the environment
KARACHI:
The Sindh High Court (SHC) further extended on Thursday the stay against the construction of two nuclear power plants in Karachi.
Headed by SHC chief justice Maqbool Baqar, the bench also extended its previous interim order, restraining the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission from commencing work on the plants till November 26.
A group of four citizens - filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, physicists Dr Pervez Amirali Hoodbhoy and Dr Abdul Hameed Nayyar, and architect Arif Belgaumi - had challenged the construction of the two nuclear plants as they claimed it was not complying with the environmental laws.
Responding to the court's notice at the last hearing, the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission and the Pakistan Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority had filed their reports, stating that the two plants were completely safe for both humans and the environment.
On Thursday, Advocate Abdul Sattar Pirzada, who was representing the petitioners, made partial arguments to the atomic energy commission and regulatory authority's comments. Adjourning the hearing, the two judges asked Pirzada to continue the arguments at the next hearing.
Meanwhile, the bench also allowed an application filed by two activists, Amina Jilani and Roland deSouza, who had sought the court's permission to join the proceedings being 'concerned citizens.'
Published in The Express Tribune, November 21st, 2014.
The Sindh High Court (SHC) further extended on Thursday the stay against the construction of two nuclear power plants in Karachi.
Headed by SHC chief justice Maqbool Baqar, the bench also extended its previous interim order, restraining the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission from commencing work on the plants till November 26.
A group of four citizens - filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, physicists Dr Pervez Amirali Hoodbhoy and Dr Abdul Hameed Nayyar, and architect Arif Belgaumi - had challenged the construction of the two nuclear plants as they claimed it was not complying with the environmental laws.
Responding to the court's notice at the last hearing, the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission and the Pakistan Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority had filed their reports, stating that the two plants were completely safe for both humans and the environment.
On Thursday, Advocate Abdul Sattar Pirzada, who was representing the petitioners, made partial arguments to the atomic energy commission and regulatory authority's comments. Adjourning the hearing, the two judges asked Pirzada to continue the arguments at the next hearing.
Meanwhile, the bench also allowed an application filed by two activists, Amina Jilani and Roland deSouza, who had sought the court's permission to join the proceedings being 'concerned citizens.'
Published in The Express Tribune, November 21st, 2014.