“ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN PAKISTAN: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF ARTICLE 9A AND INTERNATIONAL TREATY OBLIGATIONS.”

Abstract

The constitutionalization of the "Right to a Healthy Environment" in Pakistan under Article 9A represents a key constitutional advancement, affirming environmental protection as a constitutional duty. This positions Pakistan among the few nations with justiciable environmental rights and clarifies governmental roles in protecting natural resources. The ruling identifies illegal tree cutting as a violation of Articles 9 and 9A, affecting sustainability. However, challenges such as institutional weaknesses and political inertia may render Article 9A symbolic without robust legal support. The study highlights the gap between Pakistan's environmental policies and international human rights standards, stressing a lack of a human rights perspective and superficial compliance measures toward vulnerable communities. It underscores the contribution of Article 9A to scholarship and the reporting cycle of human rights treaty bodies.