Case Study of Chilas and Swat Floods: Assessing State Responsibility under the Lens of Climate Justice

The mountainous northern regions of Pakistan are increasingly being exposed to climate-induced hazards. The floods that swept through Chilas and Swat between 2022 and 2025 were triggered by a combination of glacial melt, intense monsoon precipitation, and landslides, leaving behind a trail of destruction and raising questions regarding the state’s responsibility. Despite policy commitments and a growing climate agenda, affected communities reported delayed warnings, inadequate infrastructure, and uneven relief. Drawing on the principles of climate justice—fairness, equity, non-discrimination, participation, and accountability—this study investigates whether constitutional, statutory, and international obligations are fulfilled. The qualitative case study methodology combined field interviews with a doctrinal analysis of legal instruments and judicial precedents. Research has found that early warning systems are sporadic, engineering structures are inadequate, and compensation schemes are inequitable. Marginalized groups, especially women, find it more difficult to access relief. Although the state referenced climate change in its policies, the operationalization of climate justice principles remained limited. This paper argues that bridging the gap between commitments and practice requires institutional reform, community participation, and recognition of climate justice as a legal duty. The study also introduces high-definition bar charts and graphs to visualize the frequency of glacial lake outburst floods and the population at risk, providing a quantitative backdrop to qualitative insights.