FROM CONSTITUTIONAL RECOGNITION TO CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY: ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORY ENFORCEMENT IN PAKISTAN

Muhammad Farooq Sadiq; Qaiser Khushbakht

Authors

* Muhammad Farooq Sadiq School of Law and Policy, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan (Corresponding Author).
Khushbakht Qaiser Associate Professor School of Law and Policy, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.

Keywords:

Environmental Regulatory Enforcement; Corporate Accountability; Environmental Justice; PEPA 1997; Environmental Tribunals.

Abstract

Despite a comprehensive legal and policy environment to protect the environment, environmental regulatory enforcement is still a critical challenge in Pakistan. This article examines the implementation of corporate accountability and environmental justice in Pakistan through the lens of the state's environmental laws, policies, judicial rulings and institutional framework. It uses a qualitative approach with doctrinal legal research techniques and socio-legal interpretation with qualitative content analysis. Gaps in the enforcement of primary laws such as Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997 (PEPA 1997), Provincial Environmental laws, Environmental quality standards, provisions of environmental tribunals, policy documents and landmark judicial decisions were analyzed and gaps in the law to address accountability and enforcement were identified. The findings show that in Pakistan, while a comprehensive environmental legal structure exists, there is still a lack of practical implementation of these laws because of institutional fragmentation, limited monitoring capacity, procedural delays, weak penalties, and a lack of coordination between the federal, provincial and regulatory bodies. Corporate responsibility is legally recognized, for example, in terms of pollution control obligations, environmental impact assessment requirements, and liability provisions, but that these are not backed up by adequate compliance monitoring, transparency of reporting and effective sanctions. The courts have thus taken a progressive step in the promotion of environmental and climate justice but cannot replace the regular enforcement of the regulations. The article highlights the disconnect between environmental law and corporate accountability. It calls for stronger enforcement agencies and tribunals, strengthening corporate due diligence, raising penalties, providing for public participation, and linking environmental policies with enforceable implementation mechanisms.

DOI https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22283516

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