DOMESTIC LEGAL FRAMEWORK ON MARINE POLLUTION – A CRITICAL APPRECIATION

Abstract

This scholarly inquiry undertakes a comprehensive and critical analysis of marine pollution (MP) as it pertains to the domestic legal framework of Pakistan, with particular emphasis on the paramountcy of oceans and the mounting exigencies confronting them. Marine pollution poses deleterious ramifications for ecosystems, living resources, human health, and maritime activities. In the context of Pakistan, multifarious causal antecedents underlie this phenomenon, encompassing industrial and agricultural runoff, shipping-related incidents, and the pervasive scourge of plastic pollution. Despite the existence of international conventions and domestic legislative enactments aimed at redressing this environmental malaise, the practical implementation thereof faces notable challenges, including shortcomings in enforcement and regulatory efficacy. To mitigate marine pollution in Pakistan, substantive efforts have been pursued, notably entailing the proscription of plastic bags, the deployment of advanced technologies for marine waste disposal, and the proactive advocacy of extended producer responsibility. Paramount among the international conventions are those mandating ship-owners' liability for oil spills, pivotal in safeguarding the sanctity of marine environments. Intrinsically intertwined with humanitarian and ecological import, the preservation of marine life mandates the promulgation of comprehensive legal edicts that assiduously protect marine ecosystems and proffer due reverence to the rights of marine denizens. Notwithstanding, the exigency to confront implementation obstacles within the Pakistani legal milieu accentuates the imperative for resolute enforcement mechanisms. Addressing these intricate challenges necessitates the adoption of proactive measures, notably the institutionalization of an autonomous industrial reporting system and exacting compliance with stringent environmental impact assessments. In summation, the efficacious resolution of marine pollution imperatives within Pakistan obliges the cultivation of a robust and meticulously enforced legal framework, profoundly attentive to sustainable marine resource management. Harmonizing international conventions with domestic jurisprudence holds indubitable import in perpetuating the sanctity of marine ecosystems and buttressing the well-being of humanity. Through rigorous legal scrutiny and judicious enforcement, the collective aspiration to ameliorate marine pollution resonates with heightened resonance and veracity.