The Dual Face of Corporate Environmental Crimes in Pakistan: Unveiling Threats and Opportunities for a Sustainable Future

Abstract

The environment plays a vital role in sustaining development, health, food security, and economies. However, the depletion of natural resources across the world has led to a rise in environmental crime, which has now become the fourth-largest crime sector globally. This criminal industry accounts for the theft of natural resources worth up to $258 billion annually, posing a serious threat to the planet's fragility and peace. The UN Security Council has also recognized the severity of environmental crime and its connection to armed groups and terrorists receiving funds from this criminal activity. In Pakistan, the country's constitutional law plays a crucial role in addressing environmental issues and upholding fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution. The Lahore High Court set up the Green Benches after the Burbhan Declaration in 2012, which led to the Supreme Court and High Courts' active involvement in addressing environmental issues and complaints. The Supreme Court and High Courts have established a substantial body of environmental jurisprudence in Pakistan, with landmark precedents such as the Shehla Zia and Leghari cases. This study uses a qualitative research methodology to examine environmental crimes in Pakistan. It uses historical and descriptive-analytical tools and primary sources like online resources and print media. The research also examines legislation and achievements related to proposed statutes. The study aims to assess the issue from a Pakistani perspective, comparing various juristic approaches with the judicial mechanism. The qualitative approach combines normative, descriptive, and explanatory-analytical features, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of environmental crimes' consequences. The study highlights deficiencies in environmental crime response due to a lack of knowledge, awareness, data, governance, legislation, collaboration, enforcement capacity, information sharing, and engagement with local communities. Addressing these disparities requires reinstating initiatives, facilitating information exchange, combating environmental crimes, and enhancing environmental legislation across all governance levels.