Pakistan climate change challenges are intensifying with each passing year, as floods, extreme weather events, and governance failures expose the country’s vulnerability. Despite contributing less than 1% to global greenhouse gas emissions, Pakistan remains one of the most climate-vulnerable nations in the world. Recent debates and expert insights have highlighted the dangerous mix of natural disasters and human mismanagement that continue to put millions of lives at risk.
The Rising Threat of Floods in Pakistan
Flooding has become the most visible sign of Pakistan climate change impacts. Torrential monsoon rains since June 26 have caused devastation across the country, killing 788 people by August 24. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has faced the highest number of casualties with 469 deaths, followed by Punjab with 165, Sindh with 54, Gilgit-Baltistan with 45, Balochistan with 24, Azad Kashmir with 23, and Islamabad with eight.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has warned that the ongoing monsoon season, expected to last until September 10, could bring floods similar to the catastrophic 2010 disaster. Back then, entire districts went underwater. In 2022, massive flash floods triggered by heavy rains and melting glaciers submerged nearly a third of the country, killing more than 1,700 people and causing over $30 billion in damages.
Mismanagement Makes Disasters Worse
While Pakistan climate change effects are undeniable, experts stress that poor governance and unchecked development have made matters worse. Federal Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik recently admitted that powerful individuals have built hotels directly in riverbeds, worsening flood impacts. He criticized those granting illegal NOCs, highlighting governance failures that allow dangerous construction in high-risk areas.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has since announced a nationwide crackdown on construction along rivers, streams, and other natural waterways. Authorities in Gilgit-Baltistan have also barred the building of new hotels near lakes, hoping to prevent further environmental damage in a region with more than 13,000 glaciers.
Weak Early Warning and Forecasting Systems
Another pressing issue in Pakistan climate change preparedness is the lack of an effective early warning system. Malik admitted that although a plan was launched in 2017 to install 300 early warning systems, only 12 were in place when he assumed office. This incomplete network leaves millions vulnerable when heavy rains strike.
Meteorologists and climate experts argue that better data collection and forecasting tools are urgently needed. Dr. Imran Ahmed recalled that 27 sites in Karachi had been identified for recharge wells, which could help absorb stormwater, yet little progress has been made. Meteorologist Ali Tauqeer Sheikh added that Pakistan now faces not only river floods but also devastating urban floods, but policies still treat trees as timber instead of essential environmental buffers.
Karachi: A Case Study of Urban Flooding
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab stressed that tree plantation drives are not enough unless proper care is ensured. He pointed to widespread encroachments on natural waterways as a key reason behind recurring urban flooding in the metropolis. “Nature always reclaims its own paths,” he warned, highlighting the consequences of profit-driven development without urban planning.
In August, Karachi experienced its heaviest rainfall in 90 years. The Pakistan Meteorological Department had incorrectly predicted a decrease in rain on August 19, which further exposed the weaknesses in forecasting. Experts argue that without scientific urban planning and investment in green infrastructure, megacities like Karachi will continue to face climate disasters.
The Human Cost of Pakistan Climate Change
The human toll of these disasters is staggering. Beyond the rising death count, millions are displaced each year, losing homes, crops, and livelihoods. Water resources specialist Muhammad Mehr Ali Shah noted that Pakistan has already lost water equivalent to the storage capacity of the Tarbela and Mangla dams. He emphasized that while global warming cannot be stopped by Pakistan alone, the government must prevent people from living in high-risk flood zones.
A Call for Climate-Resilient Development
Urban planning professor Nausheen Anwar rightly pointed out that climate change is only half of the problem. Mismanagement, corruption, and profit-driven development have worsened vulnerabilities. Experts call for sustainable urban planning, enforcement of environmental laws, investment in early warning systems, and better water management.
Reforestation, restoration of natural waterways, and community awareness are crucial to reducing risks. Pakistan climate change resilience will depend not only on global climate policies but also on strong domestic governance.
The Pakistan climate change crisis is no longer a distant threat—it is a present reality costing lives, homes, and billions of dollars every year. From floods that devastate villages to urban disasters that paralyze cities, the evidence is clear: without urgent reforms, the future looks even more dangerous. While Pakistan cannot single-handedly halt global warming, it can take immediate steps to improve governance, protect natural ecosystems, and build climate resilience. Only then can the country safeguard its people from the growing dangers of climate change.
