KARACHI:
Last month, the COP27 Climate Conference was held in Egypt that was attended by several global leaders including Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The purpose of the conference is to promote climate technology solutions in developing countries. The Pakistani Prime Minister emphasised the need to cut Pakistan’s debt and provide the country with additional funding and support to rebuild resilient and adaptive infrastructure.
The monsoon rains and subsequent super floods proved that Pakistan is already facing the consequences of climate change, which will intensify in the coming years. The country suffered economic losses worth US$30 billion. The damage and losses in agriculture had spillover effects on the industry, external trade and services sectors. Besides this, 30 million people were left homeless requiring immediate shelter and healthcare support. This further put a strain on the government’s resources and funds.
It is high time that countries that are the biggest carbon polluters do more than lip service and pay reparations to Pakistan and other countries suffering from climate change. Our Prime Minister and the Climate Change Ministry have done a commendable job in highlighting Pakistan’s case on a global stage. They must continue pushing their agenda forward until Pakistan receives adequate support to cope with the future impacts of climate change.
Mahaz Ahmed
Asiabad
Published in The Express Tribune, December 13th, 2022.
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