Pakistan's Climate Vulnerability Demands Whole-of-Government Response

Strategic Insights -

Pakistan's worsening climate threats are a cause for grave concern, with the country ranked as the 4th most climate-vulnerable and 14th most water-scarce country in the world. The National Assembly's Standing Committee on Climate Change has called for urgent federal backing and strengthened provincial and district-level disaster management to address this pressing issue. The Committee, chaired by MNA Munaza Hassan, met at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) headquarters to review Pakistan's disaster preparedness and plan a whole-of-government response to mitigate the country's growing climate risks.

Key Takeaways:

  • Pakistan is ranked as the 4th most climate-vulnerable and 14th most water-scarce country in the world (Hassan).
  • The National Assembly's Standing Committee on Climate Change has called for a federal response framework to support Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) on the ground (Hassan).
  • NDMA Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik briefed lawmakers on the Authority's 2025 Disaster Calendar, which integrates probabilistic forecasts for floods, heatwaves, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), and rising sea levels (Malik).
  • NDMA has trained more than two million responders nationwide and launched platforms like the Integrated National Search and Rescue (INSaR) system to improve preparedness and response (NDMA).
  • Despite advances, implementation remains weak at the local level, with delays in land acquisition stalling construction of critical rainwater reservoirs (Committee members).
  • Lawmakers voiced alarm over increasing sea water intrusion in Sindh and flood and erosion damage in Layyah district, demanding a national-level strategy that transcends provincial boundaries (Committee members).
  • Empowering provincial and district authorities with better federal support is non-negotiable, stressed Hassan, adding that stronger coordination between NDMA and elected representatives was essential to translate climate warnings into rapid relief on the ground (Hassan).
  • The National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) has compiled 352 global studies on Pakistan's climate risks and built partnerships with over 600 universities worldwide (NDM).
  • Unless provinces are given more resources and operational autonomy, the benefits of this knowledge cannot be fully realized, argued committee members.

Statistics:

  • Pakistan is ranked as the 4th most climate-vulnerable country in the world (Hassan).
  • Pakistan is ranked as the 14th most water-scarce country in the world (Hassan).
  • NDMA has trained more than two million responders nationwide (NDMA).
  • NDMA has launched the Integrated National Search and Rescue (INSaR) system to improve preparedness and response (NDMA).
  • Delays in land acquisition have stalled construction of critical rainwater reservoirs, limiting resilience-building efforts (Committee members).
  • 352 global studies on Pakistan's climate risks have been compiled by the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM).
  • Over 600 universities worldwide have partnered with the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM).

Sources:

  • The News International
  • Pakistan Today
  • National Assembly's Standing Committee on Climate Change
  • National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
  • National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM)