The environment laws of Pakistan are not inefficient though there are gaps in this legislation at grass root level. Lahore has recently been declared the most polluted city of the world, second only to New Delhi. The menace of smog has similarly disturbed the lives of millions living in the country. This sparked controversy over the efficiency of environment laws in Pakistan. If laws aren’t entirely the problem, then, are there loopholes in their implementation which has led to a rapid degradation of the air quality in Pakistan? This is to be assessed with the accompanying factors which are the main culprits behind the rise in pollution in this country.

Gaps in legislation and an insufficiency of laws to cover the different causes of pollution is harming the biodiversity. Pakistan Environmental Protection Act (PEPA) 1997 is the cornerstone of environmental pollution laws in Pakistan. It provides a framework for the protection, conservation and rehabilitation of the environment. There are other laws too, at the federal level which serve to aide PEPA with regards to the protection of the environment. These include The Environmental Protection Regulations 2000, The Forest Amendment Act 2012, The Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1972, The Marine Pollution Act 1997 amongst others. There are also Acts serving the purpose of environmental protection at the provincial level. However, there is no legislation to control freshwater pollution except for an incomprehensive provision of PEPA 1997.The Marine Act controls the dumping of pollutants into Pakistani coastal waters only. Furthermore, there is also no legislation to stop the crop burning, essentially the burning of rice stubble which is a major cause of smog in the winter months. There are also no provisions in law which stop the usage of low-grade fuel in the industries. This is a huge cause of pollutants in the air. Such Industrial waste when enters the streams, causes both fresh and eventually marine pollution. In some cases, the penalties for environmental violations are too lenient, or enforcement agencies may lack the authority to impose meaningful fines or sanctions on offenders.

Environmental degradation in Pakistan is also a result of a lack of appropriate machinery to implement the laws such as PEPA. The government of Pakistan has struggled to effectively implement environmental protection laws for several key reasons. Firstly, environmental regulatory bodies in Pakistan, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at both federal and provincial levels, suffer from limited resources, lack of political will, and inefficiency. These agencies often lack the manpower, expertise, and authority to carry out rigorous enforcement. Corruption within government institutions has also undermined environmental regulations. In some cases, enforcement officers and other stakeholders may be bribed or pressured to ignore violations, particularly in industries that generate revenue for local or national economies. Pakistan has faced long periods of political instability, which has often led to a lack of continuity in policy implementation. Frequent changes in government, shifting priorities, and competing interests among political parties have hampered long-term environmental policy planning.

There are many other factors too which are responsible for a lack of implementation of environment laws and hence, a deterioration of the environment. Economic pressures often take precedence over environmental concerns, especially in sectors like agriculture, construction, and industrialization, which have a significant environmental impact. In a country where poverty is a significant issue, there is often a trade-off between immediate economic needs (such as industrial growth) and long-term environmental sustainability. Local governments may prioritize economic development over environmental protection because of limited resources. Also, Pakistan’s growing population and rapid urbanization put immense pressure on natural resources and increase pollution. Cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad struggle with waste management, air pollution, and water scarcity.

There are also some unconventional causes which hamper the implementation of legislation. First, soon after the monsoon, there is a lot of moisture in the air particularly arising from the Bay of Bengal. This, when it undergoes the process of temperature inversion causes smog. Besides local causes, environmental hazards like smog are also said to be caused by recklessness across the Eastern border. Pollutants arising from the heavily industrialised India are also said to cause smog and water pollution in Pakistan. To counter this, better environment laws are of no use, in fact smog diplomacy needs to be initiated with the concerned neighbour.

Pakistan has a comprehensive but evolving legal framework for environmental protection, but gaps are there in the existing legislation. The country is making efforts to improve and enforce these laws, though challenges remain in areas like implementation, enforcement, and compliance. In addition, the increasing effects of climate change, urbanization, and industrialization call for continuous updates to environmental policies and regulations. The government’s failure to implement environmental protection laws in Pakistan is a result of a complex interplay of weak governance, political instability, economic priorities, and lack of public awareness. Overcoming these challenges will require a multi-faceted approach that includes strengthening institutions, improving public education, ensuring legal clarity, and prioritizing long-term sustainability over short-term economic growth.