Climate authority not functional yet

A parliamentary panel has called into question the performance of the Pakistan Climate Change Authority (PCCA) and pressed the government to address the growing challenge of plastic waste, PET bottles and ineffective recycling.

During the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change on Thursday, Climate Change Minister Musaddiq Malik acknowledged that the authority was not yet fully functional, saying a proposed amendment would turn it into a think tank for the Ministry of Climate Change, with the authority reporting to the ministry at every level.

The committee also examined the difficulties of identifying recyclable materials, enforcing restrictions on plastic products and ensuring that businesses had viable alternatives before new measures were implemented.

The PCCA chairman briefed the committee on the authority's ongoing projects and performance, saying various groups had been formed to coordinate with provincial governments and obtain feedback.

However, Rehman expressed dissatisfaction with the presentation, saying she had not understood its contents.

"I am not satisfied with the PCCA's briefing," she said, adding that she could not understand what had been presented. She warned officials against appearing before the committee without adequate preparation.

"When you are not prepared for a presentation, you should not come here," she said.

The climate change secretary asked the committee to give the newly appointed chairman some time to settle into the role. Rehman nevertheless maintained that the authority had yet to prove its mettle and suggested that it appeared to lack intellectual capacity.

She said, however, that she did not want anyone to be disrespected during the proceedings.