Climate Committee Sounds Alarm on Pakistan’s Future

News Desk

Islamabad: Pakistani climate vulnerability was the focal point at the 13th session of the Standing Committee on Climate Change, which took place at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) headquarters.

Pakistan is the world’s 4th climate vulnerable and 14th most water stressed country, and its destiny is in the balance, highlighting the necessity for enhanced adaptation and intergovernmental coordination.

The meeting was informative in terms of urgent matters, such as the delayed acquisition of land for rain reservoirs, intrusion of seawater in Sindh, and destructive flood and erosion losses in the Layyah district. These matters highlight the imperative of a national policy that goes beyond provincial lines.

NDMA’s research division, NIDM, has established a database of 352 foreign studies regarding Pakistan’s disasters and established partnerships with 150 Pakistani and 450 foreign universities to share best practices.

The Committee called for increased coordination between NDMA and elected officials in disaster warnings and relief. NDMA Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik stressed the authority’s comprehensive Disaster Calendar 2025, which includes probabilistic projections of floods, heatwaves, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), and sea level rise.

The Committee was worried about the provincial and district governments’ capacity flaws to respond to climate-induced disasters.

Munaza Hassan underlined the necessity for a federal response mechanism to strengthen Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) and suggested engaging the Overseas Pakistani diaspora for finances and volunteer personnel. “It is not negotiable to entrust provincial and district authorities with greater federal assistance,” she asserted.

It was witnessed by the key members, including MNAs Musarrat Asif Khawaja, Syeda Shehla Raza, and Shagufta Jumani, and Water Resources, Science and Technology, Energy, and National Food Ministers.