Islamabad: At a symposium held today at the Pakistan Academy of Sciences, Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, discussed the severe impacts of climate change on Pakistan’s health and development sectors. Organized in collaboration with Aga Khan University, the event convened experts and policymakers to deliberate on strategies to mitigate these effects and strengthen national resilience.
According to Press Information Department, Prof. Iqbal detailed the catastrophic consequences of the 2022 floods, which inflicted over $30 billion in damages, predominantly affecting the nation’s most vulnerable areas. Despite Pakistan’s low global carbon emission contributions, it disproportionately suffers from climate crises. The Minister emphasized the country’s solo efforts in flood recovery, hindered by global distraction towards the Ukraine conflict, noting that Pakistan managed 95% of the restoration independently.
During his address, Prof. Iqbal highlighted the ongoing threats to agriculture, particularly to the vital cotton industry, and expressed concern over the accelerated glacier melt and recurrent winter smog episodes that disrupt life across several regions. He advocated for a multi-disciplinary approach to problem-solving and emphasized the essential role of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences in fostering collaboration among scientists to integrate technology with economic strategies.
Reflecting on his tenure, Prof. Iqbal reminisced about initiating the “Vision 2010” project and launching the Teachers Researchers Overseas Scholarship Scheme to enhance the nation’s scientific workforce. He encouraged the Academy to continue focusing on research that addresses immediate national challenges such as climate change, health, agriculture, and industry.
Concluding his talk, Prof. Iqbal called for national unity and multi-sector cooperation to confront and overcome the persistent challenges posed by climate change. He reassured the attendees of the government’s dedication to implementing scientific recommendations and stressed the need for a concerted effort to achieve national stability and sustainable development.
The symposium marked a pivotal moment in aligning scientific research with Pakistan’s development priorities, aiming to prepare the country for current and future climate-related challenges.