Democratic institutions are strengthening, says Marriyum Aurangzeb

Parliament’s role on climate change issues hailed

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb has stressed that Parliament is the only appropriate forum for solving national problems and opposition parties can play a constructive role in overcoming the challenges facing the country.

Addressing a seminar on climate change on Wednesday, she said democracy and democratic institutions were taking roots and strengthening. Her statement came amid a debate on the future of democracy in the country sparked by apparent friction between the civil and military authorities on the economy and other issues. The army command has voiced concerns over the state of economy.



The minister said there was a dire need to take measures on a war footing for addressing challenges related to climate change. Pakistan continues to bear the brunt of climate change which is evident through changes in weather patterns, frequent natural hazards like glacial lake outburst floods, prolonged droughts and intense heat waves, among others. The country bears huge economic and human losses due to extreme weather events under the impact of climate change.

Aurangzeb said Parliament was playing its due role in tackling issues related to climate change. “Currently Pakistani Parliament is the only legislature in the world which has constituted a subcommittee to deal with the matters pertaining to climate change,” she claimed.

She stressed the need for the media to play its role in creating awareness about climate change, its impact and challenges. “Female journalists can report on climate change and its impact in a better and responsible manner compared to their male counterparts,” she remarked.