Rawal Dam Crisis Sparks Tensions in Senate Committee

Shazia Mehboob

Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change meeting, convened to review Pakistan’s role at COP29, global climate finance challenges, and the pressing environmental crisis surrounding Rawal Dam, ended abruptly on Thursday.

The disruption occurred when Senators Naseema Ehsan and Manzoor Ahmed Kakar walked out, citing repeated interference by Chairperson Sherry Rehman during their questioning of Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa at Parliament House.

The meeting was expected to address critical issues, including Pakistan’s participation in international climate negotiations and strategies for addressing environmental challenges. However, the walkout exposed tensions within the committee, raising concerns about the effectiveness of dialogue and coordination on pressing climate matters.

Notably, the Senate Committee on Climate Change comprises 11 members, including PTI Senator Shibli Faraz and Anwar Ul Haq Kakar. However, only four members attended the meeting, with the remainder absent.

Concerns Over COP29, Carbon Credits, and Rawal Dam Pollution

During the meeting, Senator Sherry Rehman expressed concerns over the outcomes of COP29, highlighting the lack of significant achievements for developing countries. She criticized the exclusion of parliamentary committees from the conference, describing it as an “egregious lapse.”

Emphasizing the importance of COP29 negotiations for global climate governance, she remarked, “Despite our significant stake in establishing this Fund, there was no progress on Loss and Damage mechanisms or meaningful outcomes for vulnerable nations.”

Committee members criticized the lack of clarity on key agenda items and coordination with major blocs, contrasting it with Pakistan’s pivotal role at COP27 in establishing the Loss and Damage Fund.

Senator Rehman asserted, “Pakistan’s influence within the G77 bloc must not diminish; it needs to be restored.”

She called for a detailed report on COP29 outcomes, including financial commitments and Pakistan’s share of the $300 billion pledged globally for climate finance. She also noted that this amount is “a drop in the ocean” compared to the $1.3 trillion estimated by the UN to bridge global climate finance gaps.

Concerns were raised about the delegation’s composition and objectives, with Senator Manzoor Ahmed questioning the number of Ministry of Climate Change officials who attended, while Senator Rehman questioned the accreditation of numerous participants without defined roles or outcomes.

The Secretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC) updated the committee on the Carbon Market Policy, noting that guidelines had been approved and work on relevant rules was ongoing.

Negotiations under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement were reported as concluded, enabling developed nations to purchase carbon credits to fund mitigation projects in developing countries.

Senator Rehman highlighted the potential of carbon credits for Pakistan’s climate resilience, stating, “Carbon credits are financial lifelines for countries like ours, which contribute minimally to emissions but bear the brunt of their effects.”

She cited the Delta Blue Project in Sindh as a successful carbon sequestration initiative and urged the establishment of a national registry to manage Pakistan’s carbon credits transparently while aligning efforts with sustainable development goals.

Rawal Dam Pollution Crisis

During the meeting, the committee identified untreated sewage from nearby drains as a major source of contamination. Senator Rehman emphasized, “Rawal Dam is a crucial water source for Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Its neglect is unacceptable and poses severe public health risks.”

She called for accountability from relevant departments and suspended NOCs for activities near the dam until the area is cleaned and properly maintained.

Out of 39 treatment plants near the dam, only two were operational, while the remainder were in poor condition.

Testing revealed that the Punjab Government is utilizing 26 million gallons daily (MGD) from Rawal Dam, highlighting the urgent need for coordination between the Punjab Government and the CDA.

Senators Naseema Ehsan and Manzoor Ahmed Kakar expressed dissatisfaction with the CDA Chairman’s initial absence and inadequate responses regarding Rawal Dam’s pollution. In protest, both senators walked out, prompting Senator Rehman to temporarily adjourn the meeting in solidarity.

The CDA Chairman later apologized and was given another opportunity to provide a comprehensive response at the next session.

The meeting was attended by Senators Naseema Ehsan, Manzoor Ahmed Kakar, Shahzaib Durrani, Taj Haider, and senior officials from MoCC&EC, CDA, EPA, and other relevant departments.

Shazia Mehboob is a PhD scholar and a visiting faculty member. She is also a freelance journalist and the founder of The PenPK.com. You can follow her on Twitter @thepenpk.