Senator Sherry Rehman, Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change, on Monday declared drought a “national emergency” and called for urgent action on land restoration, regional cooperation, and sustainable water management to combat Pakistan’s escalating environmental crisis.

In a powerful message marking the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, Senator Rehman highlighted that Pakistan is on the frontlines of an intensifying climate emergency. “Pakistan is losing fertile land at an alarming rate due to desertification, droughts, and mismanaged water resources-threatening food security, livelihoods, and the fabric of rural life,” she said. “This is not just an environmental concern-it is a national emergency.”

Referencing the Climate Risk Index 2025, she noted that Pakistan ranked first among the top 10 countries most affected by extreme weather events in 2022. With over 68% of the country’s land now classified as arid or semiarid, nearly 27,000 hectares of forest and productive land are lost every year. Drought conditions in Balochistan, Sindh, and South Punjab continue to push already vulnerable communities further into poverty.

She also raised alarm over Pakistan’s dwindling water resources, citing a staggering drop in per capita water availability-from 5,000 cubic meters in 1947 to under 900 today-placing the country below the water scarcity threshold.

This year’s global theme, ‘Restore the Land. Unlock the Opportunities,’ resonates deeply with Pakistan’s challenges. Senator Rehman stressed that restoring healthy land is not only essential for food and climate security but also for economic stability. ‘Every dollar invested in land restoration yields $7-30 in returns. Ignoring this is not an option.’

Citing UNCCD findings, she pointed out that over 1 million km² of productive land is degraded globally every year-surpassing Pakistan’s total landmass. Despite the urgent need for $1 billion in daily restoration investments from 2025 to 2030, global commitments remain inadequate, with private sector participation alarmingly low at just 6%.

Senator Rehman urged the international community to scale up financial support for South Asia, particularly through multilateral mechanisms and debt relief, to mobilize restoration investments. ‘The Global South is drowning in climate losses. Urgent international solidarity is essential.’

She also stressed the need for a comprehensive national strategy that aligns land restoration with agricultural reform, climate adaptation, and rural upliftment. Piecemeal efforts, she warned, are no longer enough.

Concluding her message, she called on the government to legislate stronger protections for rangelands, develop droughtresilient infrastructure, and incentivize regenerative agriculture and largescale reforestation, especially in climatesensitive regions.

‘This is the decade of restoration,’ she said. ‘Let Pakistan not be left behind. Let us restore our land, reclaim our water security, and embrace a climateresilient future.’