Climate budget shrinks as Pakistan faces rising heatwaves and glacier melt

Senator Sherry Rehman strongly criticized cuts in the climate budget, calling them shocking at a time when Pakistan is facing

ISlamabad: Senator Sherry Rehman strongly criticized cuts in the climate budget, calling them shocking at a time when Pakistan is facing stronger heatwaves, faster glacier melting, unpredictable rainfall, water shortages and worsening environmental problems in cities.

The most controversial issue raised in the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination was the reduction in funds for the Climate Ministry despite rising climate dangers. Senator Sherry Rehman said climate risks are going up, but government allocations are going down. She called this a grave concern and said Pakistan cannot fight a growing climate crisis with shrinking resources.

The committee was told that the Climate Ministry’s allocation under the Public Sector Development Programme, known as PSDP, has fallen to Rs 2.478 billion. Senator Rehman also noted that in the previous fiscal year, the allocation had already been reduced from Rs 3.5 billion to Rs 2.7 billion.

Senator Rehman said the situation is alarming because Pakistan is not facing a small problem. She said the country is entering a dangerous period of climate vulnerability, where heatwaves, glacier melt, irregular rains, dry spells, water insecurity and urban pollution are all becoming more serious.

However, she also pointed out another serious problem. She said the Climate Ministry has also failed to fully use the funds already given to it. According to her, budget cuts are worrying, but weak use of available funds is also a major failure that must be addressed.

Another sensational issue was Senator Rehman’s criticism of the Climate Authority. She questioned why a new authority was needed when the Climate Ministry already exists. She asked what work the authority is doing that the ministry cannot do.

Senator Rehman said Pakistan does not need more confusing departments and parallel structures. She said climate governance needs better coordination, not more bureaucratic silos. In simple words, she warned that creating more offices without clear goals may only increase burden and delay real action.

She also linked the issue with the heavy losses of state-owned enterprises, known as SOEs. She said losses of SOEs in Pakistan reached Rs 832.848 billion, while total accumulated losses have reached Rs 6.563 trillion. She said another Rs 451 billion has been allocated to SOEs in the budget, raising serious questions about public spending.

Senator Rehman said it is troubling that climate funds are shrinking while large sums are still being given to loss-making state-owned entities. She stressed that Pakistan needs smart spending, clear priorities and real climate action.

The committee meeting was chaired by Senator Sherry Rehman and focused on Pakistan’s climate readiness, especially monsoon preparedness. She directed that monsoon planning should remain the committee’s immediate priority because the coming weather risks cannot be ignored.

The National Disaster Management Authority, NDMA, briefed the committee on monsoon predictions and climate threats. NDMA Chairman Inam Haider Malik warned that extreme weather and climate instability are expected to increase.

The committee was informed that Pakistan’s temperatures are already above normal levels and that climate thresholds once expected later are being reached earlier. This means dangerous climate conditions are arriving faster than expected.

Senator Rehman asked whether Pakistan should expect less rainfall in the coming period. NDMA confirmed that rainfall is becoming more unpredictable. Some areas may receive less rain, while others may face short but very heavy rain events. This can cause both drought and flooding in different parts of the country.

NDMA also informed the committee that glacier melt has increased by around 3.5 percent, while evaporation has increased by nearly 3 percent. The authority warned that glacier lake outburst floods, also called GLOF events, may increase in northern Pakistan.

Senator Rehman raised a serious question about future water supplies. She asked where Pakistan’s reservoirs and dams will get water from if glaciers continue to disappear at this speed.

NDMA said Pakistan needs large scale rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge systems and monsoon basins. These steps can help store rainwater and reduce future water shortages.

Senator Rehman asked whether the government had calculated the cost of these adaptation measures. The ministry informed the committee that consultations had been completed and a national drought action plan had been prepared. Senator Rehman directed the ministry to share the plan with the committee for review.

She also raised concern over regional water security and reports of new Indian infrastructure that may affect water flows. She said lack of data sharing on water flows is becoming a serious concern and water security is now one of Pakistan’s biggest challenges.

The committee was also told that irregular weather, drought and extreme heat could cause agricultural losses of 11 to 12 percent in affected areas. Such conditions can also create public health emergencies.

Senator Rehman made it clear that Pakistan’s climate crisis is not only about weather. She said poor waste management, sewage pollution, weak urban planning and loss of forests are also damaging the environment.

She said Pakistan needs stronger climate budgeting, better use of funds, clear institutional responsibility and urgent preparation for floods, heatwaves, droughts and water shortages. She warned that without serious planning and proper funding, the country’s climate problems will become harder for ordinary citizens to survive.