Pakistan condemns climate injustice amid ongoing deadly floods sweeping the country.
Pakistan is currently grappling with severe and compounded challenges due to extreme weather events, which the nation’s climate minister has characterized as emblematic of a “crisis of injustice.” The persistent and damaging flash floods resulting from heavy monsoon rains have caused significant loss of life and infrastructure degradation. As of now, at least 32 individuals in the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces have tragically succumbed to these adverse weather conditions.
The Climate Rate Index for 2025 has highlighted Pakistan’s precarious position, labeling it as one of the most vulnerable countries affected by climate change, drawing upon data from 2022. The extensive flooding that year submerged around a third of Pakistan, impacting an estimated 33 million citizens, resulting in over 1,700 fatalities and incurring damages of approximately .8 billion alongside economic losses totaling .2 billion. Furthermore, preceding climatic instabilities included severe storms and heatwaves that cumulatively impacted thousands.
Pakistan’s Climate Change Minister, Musadiq Malik, has been vocal about what he perceives as disproportionate funding distribution for climate action. He contends that rather than merely a matter of climate challenges, this crisis should be viewed through the lens of justice and equitable resource allocation. Malik has emphasized the critical need for more balanced access to green funding, underscoring that countries like the United States and China, which generate a substantial portion of global carbon emissions, are primarily the beneficiaries of an outsized fraction of green financing.
Looking ahead, experts estimate that Pakistan requires an annual investment ranging from billion to billion to effectively confront its imminent climate change hurdles, even as it contributes a mere 0.5% to global CO2 emissions. Despite receiving pledges of approximately billion earlier this year from multilateral institutions and other countries, the country has only accessed .8 billion against these commitments. The International Monetary Fund has pledged an additional .3 billion through a new climate resilience loan program, which will be distributed over 28 months. However, Malik asserts that these amounts fall short given the severe ramifications of climate change already being felt across the nation.
The relentless rise in temperatures is responsible for accelerated glacier melt within Pakistan, home to over 13,000 glaciers. This phenomenon poses an increasing risk of flooding, threatening both life and critical infrastructure. Not only has this resulted in significant historical and cultural loss, including the submergence of churches, temples, and schools, but it has also engendered widespread challenges in accessing essential services, such as healthcare and education.
As the nation braces for future climate-related adversities, there is a pertinent need for enhanced international support and a just distribution of resources to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of millions. The path forward necessitates camaraderie and cooperation across global borders to address this pressing climate crisis.
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