Pakistan’s environmental laws failing to keep pace with climate crisis

Pakistan’s environmental crisis is increasingly being linked not just to weak enforcement but to an outdated legal framework that has failed to evolve alongside modern climate challenges. Experts argue that while the country possesses a range of environmental laws, including the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act of 1997, these regulations no longer adequately address the scale and complexity of present-day environmental degradation.

Following the 18th Amendment, environmental governance was devolved to the provinces, resulting in fragmented legislation and inconsistent enforcement across the country. This has created confusion over jurisdiction and weakened the ability of authorities to respond effectively to large-scale environmental threats such as deforestation, urban encroachment, and water pollution.

Major urban centres highlight the consequences of these gaps. In Islamabad and Rawalpindi, encroachments along the Korang and Soan rivers have increased flood risks and degraded water quality. Similarly, unchecked development along Lahore’s River Ravi has reduced its natural flood absorption capacity, while Karachi continues to suffer from severe urban flooding due to blocked drainage systems and encroached waterways.

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Although Pakistan’s judiciary has played an active role in shaping environmental jurisprudence through landmark rulings, experts note that environmental tribunals remain slow and ill-equipped to handle systemic ecological damage. Cases often linger for years, allowing environmental harm to continue unchecked.

Furthermore, penalties under existing laws are widely seen as insufficient to deter violations, particularly by influential actors. The lack of proactive enforcement means authorities often respond only after significant damage has already occurred.

With rising climate risks including heatwaves, floods, and water scarcity, analysts stress the urgent need for comprehensive legal reforms. Strengthening environmental laws, clarifying institutional roles, and prioritising preventive measures are seen as essential steps to safeguard Pakistan’s ecological future and ensure sustainable development.