Smoking gun: Climate secretary takes tobacco junket

Trip funded by cigarette giant widely slammed by health experts

ISLAMABAD: A recent trip organised by the Ministry of Climate Change and financed by a leading tobacco company may have been aimed at raising environmental awareness, but experts see it as an elitist approach to a crucial issue. Meanwhile, others highlight the possible conflict of interest in a tobacco company footing the bill for such an event.

A holiday to Swat was organised in August by the Ministry of Climate Change, in collaboration of East West Centre Association (EWCA) and Gallery6. Costs were covered by a major tobacco company.

A colourful booklet called Climate Change Art; a practitioners’ Retreat’ was also printed at the end of this junket. The booklet showcases paintings and photographs by the artists, some of whom are close relatives or friends of Climate Change Secretary Abu Ahmed Akif.

The team leader for the trip was Dr Arjumand Faisal, who, according to information on a website, is the president of EWCA’s Islamabad chapter, while Akif is vice president.

Climate change experts say the trip was an elitist approach to create awareness among people about the devastating effects of climate change.

The event was funded by a tobacco company. Pakistan is a signatory to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

“It is a sheer violation of FCTC guidelines by accepting payments, gifts or services, monetary or otherwise, from the tobacco industry,” a health ministry official told The Express Tribune while requesting anonymity.

In response, Ministry of Climate Change Deputy Media Director Mohammad Saleem says authorities are making efforts to take all stakeholders and partners on board. The aim is to boost awareness

“The national climate change policy emphasises on the significance of public awareness on possible impacts and viable adaptation of mitigation solutions. The policy recommends engaging all government and non-government stakeholders to achieve the very goal of making Pakistan a climate-resilient country,” he said.

However, the official avoided commenting directly on the artists who were in Swat or the tobacco company funding.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 18^th, 2016.