Waterway encroachers be hanged: NA panel

Amid ongoing monsoon devastation, a parliamentary committee on Wednesday voiced deep frustration over the government's handling of climate challenges, with some members even proposing capital punishment for those encroaching on waterways — and for officials complicit in the practice.

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Climate Change, chaired by MNA Munaza Hassan, opened with sharp criticism of the ministry's poor preparedness and performance. The chairperson expressed anger that the ministry had failed to provide briefing papers on time and had not briefed her ahead of a regional conference.

The ministry's secretary admitted the shortcomings, conceding to "incompetence" and apologising to the committee.

Committee member Sahibzada Sibghatullah complained that members were not given adequate information about the framework on glaciers either.

Warning of heightened risks, Munaza Hassan noted that next year's monsoon was expected to be 22 per cent more severe. While the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had been proactive, the role of provincial disaster management authorities (PDMAs) remained questionable.

She added that in the absence of local governments, there were no district disaster management authorities, further compounding problems.

MNA Gustasap Khan said relief operations in disaster-hit areas often amounted to nothing more than "cheque distribution and photo sessions" rather than real infrastructure work.

He also highlighted the lack of preparedness against potential flood risks from Indian water releases. On this, the climate change secretary clarified that the issue arose from India's dam releases and should fall under the purview of the Ministry of Water Resources.

Committee member Awais Jakhar raised concerns about devastation in his district Layyah, where farmers had lost their homes. He lamented that NDMA had not even included Layyah among the affected districts.

He further alleged that South Punjab was being deprived of funds while major cities continued to receive development projects, leaving the riverine belt (katcha areas) to drown every year. The secretary assured that the matter of including Layyah among the affected areas would be reconsidered.

Another member, Shaista Pervaiz, stressed that while floods were destroying the economy, the bigger culprit was the timber mafia, which had stripped forests across K-P, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.

"Such powerful mafias cannot operate without government patronage and must be investigated," she asserted.

The session also saw extreme proposals. Committee member Tahira Aurangzeb demanded that those who encroach on waterways, "and those who issue such NOCs, should be hanged so that no one dares repeat this crime".