Critical Evaluation of Environmental Protection Policies, Laws and Practices in Pakistan

Abstract

Pakistan's industrial growth over the past thirty years has weakened the country's ability to govern its environment, resulting in severe air, water, and soil pollution and ranking Pakistan at the bottom of global sustainability indices. This study critically assesses Pakistan's environmental protection policies, laws, and institutional practices, with a focus on pollution from the textile, leather, and cement industries. Using a qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory approach, the analysis combines data from legal texts (such as PEPA 1997 and post-devolution provincial laws), audit reports at both federal and provincial levels, Environmental Impact Assessment records, tribunal decisions, and 32 semi-structured interviews with regulators, industry representatives, lawyers, and NGOs. Two industrial clusters—Kasur's tanneries and Faisalabad's textile zone—are examined as case studies for enforcement and compliance at the ground level. Comparing practices with those of China, India, and the European Union highlights best practices such as satellite-enabled real-time emission monitoring, Extended Producer Responsibility, and citizen-led public interest litigation.
Findings reveal four systemic deficits: (1) ambiguous legal provisions and inconsistent provincial harmonization; (2) chronically underfunded Environmental Protection Agencies lacking accredited laboratories, digital monitoring tools, and enforcement autonomy; (3) weak judicial deterrence due to slow tribunal processes and minimal penalties; and (4) widespread non-compliance among small and medium-sized enterprises, worsened by political patronage and limited public transparency. Consequently, untreated industrial emissions and particulate matter regularly exceed WHO limits, causing significant damage to public health and ecosystems.
The study recommends a series of reforms: statutory amendments that establish strict, time-bound emission limits and give EPAs fiscal and operational independence; deployment of IoT-connected stack and emission sensors integrated with satellite data for continuous Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV); fiscal incentives and green-certification schemes to promote cleaner production technologies; and institutionalized public-participation mechanisms to boost accountability. Implementing these measures is crucial for closing Pakistan's enforcement gap, reducing industrial pollution, and aligning national development with Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Agreement commitments.