‘Climate change a chronic condition’

Islamabad: Climate Change is not a short-term disease. It is a chronic condition, which will not disappear in few months or years. The future of our children and their children in the world will be determined by climate change. We have to make sure that they have good quality of life and strong and sustainable economic growth.

This was stated by Federal Minister for Climate Change Mushahidullah Khan during the concluding session of three-day Science-Policy Conference on Climate Change here on Thursday. The minister said the ministry had taken a number actions against climate change especially the enforcement of the Pakistan Climate Change Act, 2017.

"We hope that the first meeting of the National Climate Change Authority will be held in a month. We are keen to operationalise the Act," he said. The minister said some other initiatives included the New Forest Policy, Prime Minister Green Pakistan Programme and Declaration of Astola Island, first Marine Protected Area of Pakistan.

He said he had directed the wildlife department to formulate the first Wildlife Policy of Pakistan. "We have taken steps to strengthen the Global Change Impact Study Centre and all other partners for organizing successful International conference and hope to organize many more such conferences in Pakistan," he said. Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Sartaj Aziz also addressed the event and said efforts were being carried out to tackle climate change through different projects. "We should work on climate change through partnership of China," he said. al (r) Jayanath C.P. Lokuketagodage, the High Commissioner of Mauritius Rashidally Soobadar, the Special Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Shah M. Jamal, former Deputy Chairman of Senate Wazir Jogezai, the members of the ESU, intellectuals and businessmen.

Khalida Babri, wife of late Prof Laeeq Babri the presented the Canadian High Commissioner with a Book written in French of Allama Iqbal’s poetry. A senior member of ESU Zafar Ahmed also presented a SDPI book to the guest. In the end, Khalid Malik, president ESU presented a shield with insignia of English Speaking Union to High Commissioner Perry Calderwood.