Senate panel grills PMD over false forecast

Sherry rejects claim that forest cover slightly improved

ISLAMABAD:

While rejecting a new report claiming slight improvement in Pakistan's forest cover, Senator Sherry Rehman has noted that Pakistan still has the lowest forest cover in South Asia. She has stressed the need for transfer of technology to fight climate change effectively.

Sherry was chairing the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change which on Thursday reviewed Pakistan's preparations for COP 30 and assess the country's climate-related challenges.

The committee was briefed by the Ministry of Climate Change, representatives of the Meteorological Department, and officials from related departments.

During the briefing, officials informed that COP 30 will be held in Brazil, where discussions will focus on six key climate points. Sherry emphasized that Pakistan must be well-prepared.

"Travel to Brazil is very expensive but I want committee members to attend COP 30 and monitor the developments firsthand," she said, instructing the ministry to make arrangements immediately.

She further questioned whether the prime minister would participate in the global climate conference. However, ministry officials said, "It is too early to confirm the PM's participation."

The committee was told that the chief ministers of Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan, as well as the chief secretary of Gilgit-Baltistan, are expected to attend. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa will participate through its own council.

Sherry stressed that technology transfer is essential for Pakistan to fight climate change effectively. She also raised alarm over the water crisis in Balochistan.

Committee member Senator Quratulain Marri expressed frustration, saying: "Every meeting sounds the same—there is no real progress."

Senator Manzoor Ahmed added that Pakistan still has not received the Rs10 billion promised after the 2022 floods in Balochistan. "Nothing reaches the people. In villages, people complain. Bureaucrats just send us back to federal ministries," he said.

The ministry said a new FAO report claims slight improvement in Pakistan's forest cover, but Sherry Rehman disagreed, saying Pakistan still has the lowest forest cover in South Asia.

Officials confirmed that the Loss and Damage Fund under the UN climate system is now becoming active, and Pakistan will sign a carbon credit agreement with a foreign country soon.

Sherry reminded the committee that they worked day and night to secure leadership of the UN Loss and Damage Committee and now even our membership in the committee is being questioned.

The director general of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Sahibzada Khan, also briefed the committee. He said two weather radars are being installed in Balochistan under a World Bank project and old weather stations in the province are being upgraded.

However, the committee expressed anger over misleading forecasts. Senator Quratulain accused the department of providing false weather information to the Sindh government.

She said on August 19, Karachi witnessed record rainfall, but the PMD forecast said rainfall would decrease. "You even listed Sindh as a district—Sindh is a whole province!"