Pakistan Parliament Grants Constitutional Recognition to Climate Change

News Desk

Islamabad: Pakistan has made history by becoming the first country in the world to grant constitutional recognition to climate change, following the approval of the 26th Constitutional Amendment.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Law and Justice, Barrister Aqeel Malik, lauded this development as a landmark achievement.

Speaking to a private news channel on Monday, he highlighted the significance of including climate change as a constitutional right, setting a global precedent.

“The 26th Amendment will play a crucial role in both strengthening the judicial system and addressing climate change through legal and constitutional means,” Malik said.

He acknowledged that while the amendment has faced some criticism and misinterpretation, the government’s objectives remain clear and forward-looking.

Malik emphasized that the amendment’s true purpose is to reinforce Pakistan’s commitment to climate action, while also bolstering the legal framework needed to address the growing environmental challenges.

According to Malik, work on the amendment began in March and April, involving numerous meetings with the Law Minister, Information Minister, and coalition partners to build a broad consensus.

He revealed that Maulana Fazlur Rehman requested additional time for further consultations to ensure wide-ranging input, a request that was accepted.

Regarding the age-related provisions in the amendment, Malik stated that consultations with the legal community and other stakeholders are still ongoing.

“This inclusive approach allows all stakeholders to share their feedback,” he said, adding that recommendations from the legal community are expected within a week.

Once a consensus is reached with the opposition, the government aims to present the amendment in the first week of October.