Melting ice

Pakistan is at the frontline of the global climate crisis, and nowhere is this more visible — or more devastating — than in its rapidly melting glaciers. With nearly 10,000 glaciers retreating at an alarming pace due to rising global temperatures, the country is now grappling with an unprecedented environmental threat.

This retreat has led to the formation of 3,044 glacial lakes, 33 of which have been classified as highly volatile — a situation that poses an immediate danger to the 7.1 million people living downstream. Despite these alarming figures, climate adaptation remains low on the government's list of priorities.

Current efforts are limited in scope and heavily donor-dependent. A few scattered awareness campaigns or early warning installations in select valleys are not enough to meet the scale of the threat. A coordinated national response is required. The government must begin by identifying and mapping all high-risk glacial lakes and downstream communities.

Early warning systems, evacuation routes and disaster training must be deployed across all vulnerable districts. In parallel, a glacial monitoring system — with real-time data — needs to be established in coordination with international climate and research institutions. Just as importantly, new development in risk-prone areas must be halted immediately.

At the same time, Pakistan must strengthen its voice in international climate diplomacy. It contributes less than 1% to global emissions yet faces some of the worst consequences of climate change. This imbalance must be the core of its external funding outreach. We deserve both financial and technical support from high-emission nations to protect its fragile mountain ecosystems and safeguard millions of lives.

The time for alarm has long passed. What is needed now is sustained political will and strong commitment to protect the people and landscapes that stand in the path of an inevitable melt.