Senator Sherry Rehman, Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, convened a meeting today to address the escalating climate crisis in Pakistan. The session focused on the devastating impacts of the ongoing monsoon season, the country”s vulnerability to extreme weather, and the inadequate disaster response infrastructure.
Senator Rehman revealed the alarming death toll from the monsoon rains, reporting 242 fatalities and 598 injuries between June 26 and July 22. In the last 24 hours alone, 21 lives were lost and six individuals were injured. ‘This is not a solitary incident-this is climate change unfolding, and Pakistan is ranked number one in climate vulnerability,’ she emphasized.
Senator Rehman criticized unplanned building on natural waterways, highlighting Saidpur Village and DHA Rawalpindi as instances where oversight resulted in loss of life and property damage. ‘We cannot label this a natural catastrophe any longer. That releases us from accountability. These are human-caused calamities fueled by inadequate preparation and stagnation in the face of climate change,’ she declared. Search operations are still in progress for a father and daughter lost in DHA Rawalpindi, and the senator urged restrictions on tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan due to ongoing emergency conditions.
The committee discussed the nation”s water crisis, highlighting the absence of comprehensive data on groundwater extraction. Senator Rehman expressed concern over the lack of information on surface water usage and the number of operational tube wells for agriculture. “For a nation classified as water-scarce by the U.N. this year, there is no indication of water conservation efforts,” she noted.
Senator Rehman also criticized Pakistan’s antiquated early warning system. ‘We are still utilizing a 1912 framework to issue warnings, while other nations employ real-time, AI-powered systems,” she stated. The committee assured cooperation with provinces to enhance early warning capabilities.
Groundwater decline was another critical issue. Senator Rehman emphasized the need for regulating tube well installations. Officials disclosed a dramatic increase in tube wells from 0.16 million in 1975-76 to 1.39 million by 2017-18. The Senator demanded current data on groundwater levels and directed provinces to present updated status reports in the next meeting.
The lack of rainwater harvesting and recharge wells was also highlighted. “The globe is prioritizing this, but in Pakistan, we are mired in inaction,” she commented, expressing apprehension about land degradation in Balochistan and Chitral. Senator Rehman requested updated data on groundwater recharge, tube well management, and rainwater collection for the upcoming meeting.
The meeting included Senators Bushra Anjum Butt, Falak Naz, Syed Waqar Mehdi, and Shahadat Awan, along with representatives from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Ministry of Water Resources, and the Federal Flood Commission.