Nuclear power plants: SHC seeks assistance from lawyer
A group of four citizens have challenged the construction of the two plants
KARACHI:
The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday appointed lawyer Mukhdoom Ali Khan as Amicus Curiae to assist the court in deciding a petition challenging the construction of two nuclear power plants in Karachi.
Meanwhile, the bench, headed by SHC chief justice Maqbool Baqar, further extended its previous interim order, restraining the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) from commencing work on the plants until December 5.
A group of four citizens - filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, physicists Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy and Dr Abdul Hameed Nayyar and architect Arif Belgaumi - had challenged the construction of the two plants, claiming that it was not complying with environmental laws.
On the other hand, PAEC and the Pakistan Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority have argued that the plants are safe for both humans and the environment.
The two judges directed the petitioners' lawyer to provide the entire record of the case to the Amicus Curiae by Thursday without fail so that he could prepare and help the court.
The matter will be taken up on December 5.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 27th, 2014.
The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday appointed lawyer Mukhdoom Ali Khan as Amicus Curiae to assist the court in deciding a petition challenging the construction of two nuclear power plants in Karachi.
Meanwhile, the bench, headed by SHC chief justice Maqbool Baqar, further extended its previous interim order, restraining the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) from commencing work on the plants until December 5.
A group of four citizens - filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, physicists Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy and Dr Abdul Hameed Nayyar and architect Arif Belgaumi - had challenged the construction of the two plants, claiming that it was not complying with environmental laws.
On the other hand, PAEC and the Pakistan Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority have argued that the plants are safe for both humans and the environment.
The two judges directed the petitioners' lawyer to provide the entire record of the case to the Amicus Curiae by Thursday without fail so that he could prepare and help the court.
The matter will be taken up on December 5.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 27th, 2014.