Irum Ahsan

Proceedings of the Second South Asia Judicial Roundtable on Environmental Justice

Irum Ahsan

This publication documents the proceedings of the Second South Asia Judicial Roundtable on Environmental Justice, held on 30-31 August 2013 in Thimphu, Bhutan. It brought together chief justices, senior judges, and experts from various fields to consider common environmental challenges in the region, share experiences, and discuss opportunities for cooperation between judiciaries to enhance environmental adjudication and enforcement. The recommendations and the discussions led to the adoption of the Thimphu Declaration on Enhancing Environmental Justice in South Asia. The participants also agreed to the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding for Co-operation Amongst the South Asia Judiciaries, which aims to significantly improve the development, implementation, and enforcement of, and compliance with, environmental law.

Development of Environmental Laws and Jurisprudence in Pakistan

Irum Ahsan

The Government of Pakistan has adopted laws to combat adverse environmental impacts of unsustainable development, but there are several issues that make effective implementation of these laws and adjudication of environmental disputes difficult. This report examines the state of environmental law, adjudication, and implementation in Pakistan, focusing on the provincial environmental protection acts of Pakistan and the institutional design, principles, and procedures provided under the law. It further examines the actual implementation of the law and the case law developed in this area with focus on the court's interpretation and enforcement of the laws. The report also reviews the curriculum of law schools and judicial academies and suggests the future inclusion of environmental laws in their respective programs.