Experts Urge Balochistan’s Youth to Prepare for Climate Change Risks

News Desk

Quetta: Balochistan is the region most severely affected by climate change, and the younger generation must be ready to address these challenges, experts emphasized during a panel discussion and Q&A session in Quetta on Wednesday.

Naseem Ur Rehman Mullakhel, Advisor on Climate Change, and Provincial Minister for Education Raheela Hameed Durrani stressed the crucial role of the youth in combating climate change and its far-reaching effects.

“The young generation will have to step up and play a vital role in dealing with the impacts of climate change,” Durrani remarked.

The event, a provincial youth conference on climate change, was organized at BUITEMS University in Quetta with support from the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Balochistan Rural Support Program (BRSP), and the Revival of Balochistan Water Resources (RBWR) initiative.

The primary goal of the conference was to raise awareness among young individuals about the impacts and challenges of climate change. Dr Arshad Khan, Deputy Country Head of IWMI, delivered an in-depth lecture on water conservation, supply management, and sustainable usage.

Key figures attending the event included Vice-Chancellor of BUITEMS, Dr. Khalid Hafeez; Secretary of Forests, Dostain Jamaldini; Secretary of Religious Affairs, Muhammad Ishaq Jamali; Pro Vice-Chancellor of BUITEMS, Dr Abdul Rahman; RBWR’s Yele Beekma; FAO’s Dr. Azam Kakar; BRSP’s Abdul Qahir; IDSP’s Safdar Hussain; and Climate Specialist Urooj Khan, alongside Dr. Aneela. They all shared their insights on climate change’s effects and the importance of mitigation efforts.

Additionally, members of NGOs working on youth and climate change attended the event, sharing their experiences and measures taken to address climate challenges in Balochistan.

Scholars specializing in climate change, university faculty, and a large number of students also participated in the conference, underscoring the importance of engaging youth in the fight against climate change.