Unified global action emphasised to combat water scarcity

Islamabad : Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Musadik Malik on Saturday emphasised Pakistan’s commitment to addressing global water challenges through glacier preservation and climate-resilient development.

He underscored the critical role of glaciers in sustaining freshwater supplies and regulating Earth’s climate, aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: ensuring water and sanitation for all by 2030. “Glaciers are the lifeblood of our planet, and their preservation is not just an environmental imperative but a survival strategy for humanity,” the minister said in a message on the occasion of World Water Day.

He said Pakistan had been at the forefront of climate resilience efforts, including initiatives like the Living Indus Basin Restoration Plan, developed in collaboration with the United Nations to restore ecological balance in the Indus Basin. He added that the Green Pakistan Upscaling Programme, a flagship project, aimed to enhance forest cover and mitigate climate risks through sustainable land management. “We are prioritising clean energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and integrating climate adaptation into national policies,” he said.

The minister said the rapid melting of glaciers threatened water flows, exacerbating floods, droughts, and sea-level rise. He said collective action—reducing carbon emissions and adopting adaptive strategies—was essential to safeguarding ecosystems. Stressing for call to action, the minister urged stakeholders to accelerate renewable energy adoption to curb greenhouse gas emissions, invest in glacier monitoring and research to inform policy decisions, promote water-efficient practices in agriculture and urban planning, and support climate-resilient infrastructure in vulnerable regions.