Pakistan’s Call for Urgent Action
During what turned out to be one of the hottest days ever recorded in Islamabad temperatures soaring to a blistering 45°C Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb addressed the media at the post-budget press conference with more than just fiscal policy on his mind.
Reflecting on the intensifying climate conditions, he noted, “It’s no longer just about the floods of 2022 now in Islamabad, we face windstorms and hailstorms almost every week. This wasn’t the case before. We are experiencing climate change in real time.”
His remarks struck a sobering tone, especially coming from a top government official, acknowledging the mounting threats posed by a warming planet a challenge widely regarded as one of Pakistan’s most urgent existential risks.
The recently released Pakistan Economic Survey echoed this urgency, stating:
“Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it is a present and growing reality. Pakistan’s extreme vulnerability demands both global emissions cuts and stronger local adaptation strategies.”
Over the past year, Pakistan has witnessed severe climate-related disruptions: prolonged heatwaves, erratic rainfall, and acute water shortages that ravaged key crops and slowed economic progress. As the country now endures another punishing heatwave with temperatures touching 50°C in some regions the risk of future disasters looms ever larger without immediate and sustained intervention.
In its latest budget, the government has earmarked 6.9% of current expenditures and 8.2% of development spending for climate-related projects. A carbon levy has also been introduced to curb fossil fuel consumption. While these allocations, totaling over Rs700 billion, reflect a growing commitment, they remain significantly below the actual financial requirements.
Former State Bank governor Shamshad Akhtar, speaking at the Breathe Pakistan conference earlier this year, estimated that Pakistan will need between $40 to $50 billion annually until 2050 to build climate resilience and avert economic collapse. Meeting this target will require a united front collaboration between government, private sector, civil society, and international partners, along with the mobilization of global climate financing.
During the press briefing, Minister Aurangzeb also emphasized the media’s role in driving climate advocacy. He specifically commended Breathe Pakistan, an initiative by the Dawn Media Group, for raising awareness and engaging the public on climate issues. His recognition underscored how vital informed journalism is in shaping public dialogue and pushing forward the climate agenda.
Pakistan is not just witnessing climate change it is living it. The moment for collective, determined action is now.
