Advocacy campaigns

Role of the civil society in advocating and informing policy and the implementation process is indispensable. Our advocacy efforts are aimed directly at involving the key decision makers to effect policy, lobby for changes in laws and in introducing legislation for the public good. Our advocacy campaigns are taken up on a longer term basis, since policy change requires continuous follow-up and adaptation with the changing problems, and the general environment.

Being focused and consistent, we have been able to record milestone achievements, which include: passing legislations in the Sindh Assembly such as the Sindh Trees and Parks Act 2002 (the only example of legislation aimed at protection of urban forestry), and The Sindh Municipal Emergency Services Ordinance 1997-98 (aims at addressing the dire state of basic services).

Some of our important campaigns include: lobbying for promoting Renewable Energy Technologies; Checking Noise and Air Pollution from Rickshaws; ‘Cut Duty; Not Trees Campaign’ (aimed at bringing down the duty on imported wood to prevent deforestation in the already forest deplete country); the promulgation of Consumer Protection Law (aimed at formulation and implementation of consumer protection laws in the country in the face of globalization and an open economy); declaring 18th August as Pakistan National Plantation Day; Revival of the Karachi Circular Railway (the only example of a mass public transport scheme in the metropolis); Improving Water Management instead of Building Large Dams; Water Systems Strengthening Project (for preventing the high degree of wastage of clean water estimated at up to 45%); Installation of Effluent Treatment Plants; Ban on plastic bags; Campaign for Protecting the Affectees of Finance Companies’ Racket In Karachi; Organ Transplant Law (Pakistan being the only country not to have organ transplantation laws).