Pakistan to sue ‘climate criminals’

‘Companies emitting fossil fuel are responsible for climate crises’

KARACHI: Pakistan is set to file a lawsuit against the perpetrators of climate crimes who have consequently led to the devastation of one-third area of the country that still remains inundated after the unprecedented flash floods caused by the Monsoon rains earlier this year.

According to an official of the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights in Germany, Dr Miriam Sagg who had recently visited Karachi to meet the flood victims, a case in this regard is being prepared to ensure that the wrongdoers are taken to task.

The reparations will be sought from the nations that caused climate disasters in addition to the damages claim. The recent floods in Pakistan were the worst ever; directly affecting 3.5 million people and indirectly affecting millions more.

Talking to Bol News Dr Sagg claimed that various actors are responsible for the climate crises. “We will ensure that the ‘polluter-pays-principle’ applies while dealing with the climate devastation”, she said. She apprised that planning, to sue several companies in Europe that proved detrimental to the climate, is also underway. Through scientific studies, we are also examining the role of companies emitting Fossil Fuel in a particular timeframe to figure out the perpetrators. “They are the ones who are responsible but they are not ones facing the consequences of climate crises”, she also said.

Zehra Khan, General Secretary Home-based Women Workers Federation of Pakistan has initiated the process of legal compensation for the victims of climate change. She stated that before filing a lawsuit at the German Court, against the countries and organisations responsible for climate crimes, her institution is in consultation with legal experts, affected parties and social workers in this regard.

According to Zehra, environmental terrorism is a result of the globe’s northern countries and transnational corporations’ negative policies that have put the people of the south in grave danger. These nations and corporations are responsible for environmental terrorism as they are greedy for ever-increasing profits. The globe’s north and south should engage in a collective effort to save humanity, she suggested.

The social worker has demanded that industrial countries immediately release the promised assistance of 100 billion dollars to the countries which have been hit by climate change. The payment of loans and interests to international lending institutions should be stopped and these funds should be utilised for the rehabilitation of the affected people, she also suggested.

She has urged the authorities in Pakistan to accelerate the de-watering process in the flooded areas besides ensuring the free provision of seeds, fertilizers and agricultural equipment to the affected farmers.

Zehra Khan apprised this scribe that Dr Miriam Sagg has also sued the company in Germany, which was the buyer of 70 per cent of products of a factory in Karachi’s Baldia Town which received bashing from local as well as international media for not providing safety measure to its workers. Some 250 workers lost their lives due to a fire incident at the factory in the year 2012.