PHC directs govt to take environmental issues seriously

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Wednesday asked the government to take environmental issues seriously as only discussions and paperwork on climate change would not serve the purpose.

“Discussions about climate change are taking place on paper in Pakistan, no real action is being taken on the ground,” Justice Ijaz Anwar remarked while presiding over cases in the Green Bench.

The bench comprised Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Sabitullah. Secretary for Environment Shahid Zaman, Environmental Protection Agency Director General Samiullah, Deputy Director Mumtaz Ali, petitioners’ lawyers and the assistant advocate general appeared in the court.

Justice Ijaz Anwar observed that the provincial government had initiated work to prevent pollution in Peshawar Canal Road and had started a separate drainage system for household wastewater, but it had now collapsed.

“It has been three years, and no progress has been made on the drainage system, while the road itself is deteriorating. The Peshawar Development Authority and TMA officials are dumping waste into canals, worsening the situation,” he remarked.

The senior judge also observed that wastes from hotels in Swat were being dumped into the river, urging the secretary Environment to develop a comprehensive plan to address this issue.

Earlier, Secretary of Environment Shahid Zaman informed the court that several measures had been taken in recent months regarding climate change. These include the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rules of Environmental Audit 2024, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Quality Standards Rules 2024, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Environmental Sealing and Seizing Rules 2024, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Environmental Smog Prevention 2024, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Environmental Protection Agency Uniform Rules, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Hospital Waste Management Rules.

He also said that guidelines had been prepared for 34 industries, including fertilizer plants, slaughterhouses, dairy farms, and soap factories. Additionally, he pleaded a comprehensive plan had been developed for smog control in Peshawar. He assured the court that he would personally oversee all matters and that a committee had been formed to inspect industrial units and take strict action against violators. He said a centralised GIS-MIS cell has been established.

Upon this, Justice Ijaz Anwar pointed out that despite these measures, the drainage system along Canal Road, initiated by the government, had collapsed, and no work had been done on it for three years. The treatment plant had not been built yet, and PDA and TMA officials continued to dump waste into the canals. He also highlighted the issue of crushing plants operating along the Bara River, contributing to environmental problems.

The court also noted that the transition of brick kilns to zigzag technology had not been implemented.

In response, secretary Environment informed the court that he was unaware of the road issue identified by the court but would now address it promptly by coordinating with relevant departments.

He also mentioned that environmental pollution control measures were being taken and a committee had been formed.

Regarding brick kilns, the secretary said that transitioning them to zigzag technology was challenging because it was expensive. “Brick kiln owners are reluctant to adopt it due to high costs,” he said.

Justice Ijaz Anwar then questioned the actions taken regarding crushing plants, which are causing environmental issues. The secretary responded that this was a province-wide issue as there were 900 crushing plants, and action had been taken against 250 of them. He said SOPs have been established to ensure that crushing plants are set up at least 500 meters away from residential areas.

Justice Ijaz Anwar also noted that a project was initiated for the Swat River, but it had not yielded any benefits. Reports indicate that wastewater from hotels in Swat is being discharged into the river. The court ordered the submission of a report regarding Canal Road and adjourned the hearing after directing the secretary Environment to provide a detailed report.