Climate budget cuts ‘shocking’ as Pakistan faces worsening climate risks, Senate panel told

ISLAMABAD, Jun 18 (APP): Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Chairperson Senator Sherry Rehman on Thursday termed continued cuts in climate allocations “shocking”, warning that Pakistan was entering a period of heightened climate vulnerability marked by intensifying heatwaves, accelerated glacier melt, erratic rainfall, worsening water insecurity and growing environmental stress in urban centres.

Chairing a meeting of the committee, Sherry Rehman expressed concern over the shrinking Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) allocation for the climate ministry, which stands at Rs2.478 billion for 2026-27 after declining from Rs3.5bn to Rs2.7bn in the previous fiscal year.

“Climate risks are increasing, not decreasing. Yet allocations continue to shrink while implementation challenges persist,” she said, while also noting that the ministry had struggled to fully utilise previously allocated funds.

The senator questioned the rationale behind establishing the Climate Change Authority, arguing that climate governance required stronger coordination rather than additional bureaucratic structures.

“What is the function of this authority, and what is it doing that the climate ministry cannot achieve?” she asked, describing it as another state-owned entity (SOE) without clearly defined objectives.

Referring to government figures, she noted that losses incurred by SOEs reached Rs832.8bn in FY2025, while cumulative losses had climbed to Rs6.56 trillion. She added that Rs451bn had again been allocated to SOEs in the current budget.

The committee also reviewed Pakistan’s preparedness for the upcoming monsoon season, with detailed briefings from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Capital Development Authority (CDA).

NDMA Chairman Inam Haider Malik informed lawmakers that the 2026-27 period was expected to be influenced by El Niño conditions, increasing the likelihood of extreme weather events and greater climate variability across the region.

He said global temperatures in June 2026 were approximately 1.47 degrees Celsius above historical averages, while temperatures in Pakistan were already around 1.56°C above baseline levels. Climate thresholds previously expected to be reached by the end of the decade were now being crossed years earlier, he added.

Responding to questions from the committee, NDMA officials said rainfall patterns were becoming increasingly erratic, with reduced precipitation in some regions but more intense downpours in others, raising the risk of both droughts and flash floods.

Sherry Rehman observed that Pakistan appeared to be entering an era in which rainfall had become fundamentally unpredictable.

The authority further warned that glacier melt rates had increased by around 3.5 per cent and evaporation rates by nearly 3pc, raising concerns over water availability and climate-induced disasters.

Officials said Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) incidents in northern Pakistan could increase from around 33 to nearly 50 events in the coming years, while accelerated glacier loss posed long-term risks to reservoir and dam replenishment.

“If glaciers continue to disappear at this pace, where will future water supplies for our reservoirs and dams come from?” Sherry Rehman asked.

NDMA recommended large-scale rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge systems and the development of monsoon water-storage basins as key adaptation measures.

The committee was informed that a national drought action plan had been prepared following consultations. Sherry Rehman directed the climate ministry to submit the plan for parliamentary review.

The discussion also focused on emerging regional water security concerns. Referring to reports of new Indian infrastructure projects capable of altering river flows, the senator highlighted the growing importance of transboundary water governance and data transparency.

“The lack of data-sharing on water flows is becoming a serious concern. Water security is rapidly emerging as one of the defining challenges of our time,” she said, directing that a dedicated briefing on river flows, storage capacity and regional water developments be held in July.

NDMA officials warned that prolonged drought conditions, extreme heat and irregular weather patterns could lead to agricultural losses of 11 to 12pc in affected areas while increasing public health risks.

The committee also examined Islamabad’s environmental management challenges, particularly delays in sewage treatment infrastructure.

During a briefing by the CDA chairman, lawmakers were informed that sewage treatment projects in the capital had faced repeated delays since 2023. Bidding processes for three treatment plants were expected to conclude by June 30, while four joint ventures were undergoing technical evaluation.

Officials acknowledged that funding allocations remained insufficient and project costs had increased.

Sherry Rehman said delays in sewage treatment were directly contributing to water pollution and environmental degradation.

“We are effectively contaminating our rivers, lakes, dams and water systems with untreated sewage and toxins. This cannot continue,” she said.

The committee was informed that Islamabad generates nearly 990 tonnes of solid waste daily, but only around 500 tonnes are regularly collected, leaving large gaps in waste management, particularly in rural areas.

Calling for greater attention to urban ecological planning, Sherry Rehman sought a comprehensive briefing on the capital’s green cover and environmental restoration efforts. She noted that Pakistan loses around 11,000 hectares of forest annually and has forest cover of only 4.7pc.

The senator also raised concerns over encroachments along waterways and nullahs, particularly around Bari Imam, stressing that environmental management should not come at the cost of vulnerable communities.

“Poor communities are often removed while more powerful interests remain untouched. Those displaced must have somewhere to go. Housing and rehabilitation are state responsibilities,” she said, urging authorities to adopt a people-centred approach to urban planning and low-income housing.