Climate change policy by Aug 15, SC informed

ISLAMABAD: The federal government assured the Supreme Court on Wednesday that the policy regarding climate change issues would be completed by August 15.

A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and comprising Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Shahid Bilal, heard the matter related to climate change.

The court sought details from the federal government on the measures taken so far to address climate change issues.

Attorney General Mansoor Usman assured the court that the climate change policy would be completed by August 15 and presented to the court.

During the hearing, the chief secretaries of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan appeared before the court and informed it about their respective governments’ policies for dealing with climate change issues.

Romina Khurshid, the Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, also appeared before the court.

Justice Mansoor Ali Shah asked the officials to submit a detailed report on the measures regarding climate change.

The chief secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa presented the Climate Change Policy 2024 and informed the court about the steps taken by the provincial government. He stated that funds had been allocated for 195 projects, most of which have been completed.

Similarly, the chief secretary of Balochistan presented the Climate Change Policy 2024. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah questioned what steps had been taken since the policy’s implementation in June 2024. The official responded that Rs34.6 billion had been allocated to address climate change in Balochistan. He mentioned that solar systems had been installed in government schools and tube wells and that eight to 10 water-related projects were currently in progress.

Additionally, the additional advocate general of Balochistan informed the court that 19 dams are being built in the province with federal government support. The court then adjourned the case until August 15.