FCCP seeks fresh reports from federation, provinces in pollution case, response sought on Monal review petition

ISLAMABAD, Jun 04 (APP):The Federal Constitutional Court has sought fresh detailed reports from the federal and provincial governments in a case relating to environmental pollution and directed them to explain the measures taken so far to address the issue.

The court also sought responses from the parties on a review petition concerning the Monal Hotel and ordered that the matter be fixed for hearing next week.

A three-member bench headed by Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi heard the case concerning environmental pollution.

During the proceedings, the court observed that industrial waste was a major contributor to environmental pollution. Justice Rizvi questioned whether the operation of Green Line and Red Line bus services would, by itself, significantly reduce pollution levels.

He further remarked that he frequently experienced foul smells while travelling on certain roads, adding that such odours were also a form of pollution. The judge observed that in some provinces there appeared to be little meaningful progress in efforts to combat environmental degradation.

The court was informed that following the Eighteenth Constitutional Amendment, environmental matters fall within the jurisdiction of the provinces. In response, the bench asked what practical steps were currently being taken on the ground to tackle pollution.

Justice K.K. Agha observed that eliminating environmental pollution was the responsibility of the relevant environmental protection agencies and that if such institutions performed their duties in accordance with the law, courts would not need to intervene.

The court also sought replies from the parties on the review petition relating to Monal Hotel and directed that the case be scheduled for hearing next week.