SC orders setting up authority on climate change in 15 days

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered for setting up an authority in 15 days to deal with the issues arising due to climate change.

Justice Mansoor Ali Shah remarked that there was no issue bigger issue of human rights in the country than the impact of climate change. “How much climate change is important, no one is understanding it,” he remarked.

Justice Athar Minnallah, another member of the bench, remarked that there was no law for social media, but an authority had been formed. But an authority was required to deal with issue of climate change, but that had not been formed, he regretted.

A case regarding formation of an authority on climate change came up for hearing before a three-member bench of the SC, presided over by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, on Monday.

Justice Mansoor remarked that the Climate Change Act was enacted in 2017. “Climate change is a major issue for Pakistan, and a matter of basic rights. The authority could not be established even after so many years,” he remarked. The SC judge said that the attorney general for Pakistan (AGP) should come to the court and then court would look into the matter.

Later, the bench ordered the government to set up an authority on climate change in 15 days. Earlier, Punjab, Sindh, KP and Balochistan presented their reports with reference to planning for environmental issues. The hearing was adjourned till June 3.