Climate change adaptation measures required to provide a safe environment to our coming generations: PM Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD, Dec 06 (SABAH): Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired 4th meeting of the PM’s Committee on Climate Change on Monday. The meeting was briefed that air pollution problems started from November, which was the driest month, that affected most areas of Punjab. Moreover, violations of the Indus Water Treaty has adversely impacted the bio-diversity of Indus River Basin in Pakistan.

The Prime Minister emphasized on urgent long-term planning for urban areas where environmental issues including loss of green cover, sewerage treatment, solid waste management and air pollution need immediate solution. The Prime Minister stated that climate change adaptation measures are required to provide a safe environment to our coming generations. He said that our governments “Clean & Green Pakistan” initiative was launched with our youth in mind and that the responsibility of providing a clean future rests on the shoulders of present generation.

Prime Minister Imran Khan highlighted that Pakistan’s contributions to global environmental pollution sources is negligible but the impacts of climate change are huge for Pakistan. He added that “Pakistan is not part of the problem yet we want to be part of the solution”. The Prime Minister accorded in-principle approval to the concept plan of “Ecological Restoration of the Indus Basin for a Climate Resilient future”. The concept plan comprises of conservation and pollution control measures to be taken in up-stream, Indus plain and down-stream of the Indus River Basin.
A detailed plan will be completed within 4 months for approval and implementation and will provide the vision and an action based framework to integrate current initiatives and develop new initiatives to fill the gaps.

The meeting also accorded approval for Concept Proposal for “Nature Policy Based Budgetary Support” by the World Bank that will accelerate innovative Green Financing for development projects in the Country. Earlier, SAPM on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam updated the meeting on participation of Pakistan in Conference of Parties (COP) 26 held in Glasgow recently. It was informed that the international community highly acknowledged Pakistan’s 10 billion Tree Tsunami program and all other environmental conservation programs.
It was apprised that Pakistani delegation comprising of only 8 delegates participated in 25 side events, held more than 50 bilateral meetings and signed several MoUs with developed countries during COP 26. A detailed presentation on adverse impacts of Climate Change on Indus River Basin was also given at the meeting. It was informed that negative impacts on Indus River Basin include reduction in crop yields, water shortage, hot and dry spells and extreme flooding and loss of bio-diversity in the country.

The Meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Omar Ayub Khan, Muhammad Hammad Azhar, Fawad Ahmed, Syed Fakhar Imam, Chaudhry Moonis Elahi, SAPM Malik Amin Aslam, Dr. Shehbaz Gill, Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mehmood Khan, Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan Khalid Khurshid Khan, Minister of State Ms. Zartaj Gul, Senator Faisal Javed Khan, Minister for Climate Change Sindh Muhammad Ismail Rahoo, senior representatives of United Nations and  World Bank and senior officials.