Public Interest Litigation in Pakistan Landmark Cases and Judicial Influence on Governance
Abstract
Public Interest Litigation (PIL) allows individuals and organizations to bring legal cases on behalf of the public to address societal problems such as human rights abuses, environmental degradation, and corruption. In the Pakistani Supreme Court, PIL has emerged as a significant mechanism for addressing these concerns. This paper discusses the significance of PIL, the issues encountered in its practice, and a few landmark cases. The Supreme Court has repeatedly evolved well-founded legal norms governing PIL, thereby empowering the underprivileged sections of society. Cases such as Shehla Zia vs. WAPDA and the Suo Moto Case regarding Lahore smog exemplify how the judiciary takes initiative to secure rights and hold authorities accountable. PIL has impacted public policy and transformed societies by improving accountability among governing bodies. However, PIL faces challenges, including issues of admissibility, the potential for time-consuming legal actions, and the risk of abuse for personal or political gain. The tension between the judiciary and the principle of the separation of powers is a critical factor in maintaining judicial independence. To optimize PIL, it is essential to enhance public awareness, particularly regarding legal rights, and to establish an efficient legal aid service.
Copyright Notice Submission of an article implies that the work described has not been published previously (except in the form of an abstract or as part of a published lecture or academic thesis), that it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere, that its publication is approved by all authors and tacitly or explicitly by the responsible authorities where the work was carried out, and that, if accepted, will not be published elsewhere in the same form, in English or in any other language, without the written consent of the Publisher. The Editors reserve the right to edit or otherwise alter all contributions, but authors will receive proofs for approval before publication. Copyrights for articles published in IJSSA journal are retained by the authors, with first publication rights granted to the journal. The journal/publisher is not responsible for subsequent uses of the work. It is the author’s responsibility to bring an infringement action if so desired by the author.
