KARACHI, Nov 22: A constitutional petition has been filed in the Supreme Court to seek compensation for the people affected by the Tasman Spirit mishap and a thorough inquiry to prevent such incidents.

The petitioners, Advocates Amjad H. Bukhari and Nadeem Ahmed, submitted that “the indulgence of the apex court is required for enforcement of the constitutionally-guaranteed right to life, which includes the right to a pollution-free environment”.

Relying upon the 1994 Shehla Zia case, it sought appropriate directions to the human rights division of the federal government, the environment ministry, the environmental protection agency, the National Maritime Pollution Control Centre, the Directorate of Ports and Shipping and the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation. It invokes the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court as the matter is of public importance involving enforcement of human rights.