Is Pakistan Ready for Its Climate–Population Crisis?

News Desk 

Lahore: Coordinator to the Federal Tax Ombudsman, Saif Ur Rehman, has warned that Pakistan’s rapidly growing population, coupled with intensifying climate change impacts, poses a grave threat to the country’s economic stability and development.

Speaking at a seminar on “Impact of Climate Change and Growing Population on Pakistan’s Economy,” he said Pakistan’s limited natural resources are under immense strain due to unchecked population growth, which has exacerbated unemployment, poverty, food insecurity, and pressure on social services.

He noted that Pakistan ranks among the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, facing recurring floods, droughts, heatwaves, and water scarcity — all of which are undermining agricultural productivity and livelihoods, particularly in rural areas. These challenges, he added, are deepening economic inequality and hampering human development.

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Saif Ur Rehman urged policymakers to adopt coordinated and forward-looking strategies to address both climate and demographic pressures. This includes strengthening population management through education, awareness, and family planning programs, while simultaneously advancing climate-resilient development policies.

He emphasized the need to promote renewable energy, improve water-use efficiency, encourage green technologies, and ensure equitable resource distribution. Expanding social safety nets and fostering inclusive economic growth, he said, are essential to build national resilience.

“Pakistan’s economic survival depends on how effectively we manage our population growth and climate risks. Sustainable development is impossible without addressing these two interlinked challenges,” he concluded.