ABSTRACT
The development of environmental issues and activities in Pakistan has caught the concerns of civil society, intelligentsia, policy makers and people at large. It has given rise to the debate of balancing economic growth, the beneciaries of growth and ecological sustainability in Pakistan. The lack of the management of e-waste and building of big dams for power generation that result in migration, violation of the rights of the indigenous people, degradation of their health and disturbance in the ecosystem shows the apathetic nature of the state towards the local people and ecology. The growing consciousness with regard to environmental deterioration has given rise to environmental movements in Pakistan. However, the state apparatus has applied the ‘legitimate’ violence clause to suppress the movement of the masses, especially the anti-Mangla Dam movement in Mirpur. Here in the name of development, the rights of indigenous people are being violated, their culture is being suppressed, their economy shattered and they are politically alienated. This arises questions that need answers. These questions are:
• What are the patterns of development? • Development for whom? • Where is sustainability? • Why are the indigenous people being suppressed? • If so, has this raised the basic issues of livelihood, social justice and
equity?
