News Detail
Event Title: Senator Sherry Rehman, Chairperson Senate Standing Committee On Climate Change & Environmental Coordination presiding over a meeting of the committee at Parliament House Islamabad
Event Date: 2026-06-18
Sherry Rehman says “Climate budget cuts are shocking”
Chairing a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Chairperson Senator Sherry Rehman warned that Pakistan is entering a period of heightened climate vulnerability marked by intensifying heatwaves, accelerating glacier melt, erratic rainfall, growing water insecurity, and deteriorating urban environmental conditions. Stressing the urgency of the situation, she directed that monsoon preparedness remains the Committee's immediate priority and called for stronger institutional coordination to confront what she described as a widening climate polycrisis.
Expressing concern, Senator Rehman noted that the Climate Ministry's total allocation had fallen to Rs 2.478 billion in PSDP, meanwhile it had been reduced from Rs 3.5 billion to Rs 2.7 billion in the previous fiscal year. "Climate risks are increasing, not decreasing. Yet allocations continue to shrink while implementation challenges persist. This is a grave concern. But it is imperative to note there is an existing inability by the Ministry to utilise the funds that were already allocated.”
Senator Rehman questioned the logic of creating parallel institutional structures referring to Climate Authority, “What is the function of this Authority? And what is it doing that the Climate Ministry cannot achieve? It’s another SOE with no defined goal that continue to place a staggering burden. Losses of SOEs in Pakistan reached Rs 832.848 billion in FY2025, with cumulative losses now standing at Rs 6.563 trillion. Yet another Rs 451 billion has been allocated to SOEs in this budget.”
She stressed that climate governance requires greater coordination, not additional bureaucratic silos like the Climate Authority.
Turning to the monsoon agenda, Senator Rehman stressed that climate preparedness could not be delayed and directed that the Committee immediately focus on the emerging risks facing Pakistan in the coming months
The Committee received detailed briefings from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on preparedness and predictions of monsoon weather and from CDA on sewage treatment plants.
During the NDMA briefing, Chairman NDMA Inam Haider Malik informed the Committee that the 2026–27 period is expected to be influenced by El Niño conditions, which are projected to intensify extreme weather events and climate variability across the region.
Chairman NDMA informed the Committee that global temperatures in June 2026 were approximately 1.47°C above historical averages, while Pakistan's temperatures were already around 1.56°C above baseline levels. He further warned that climate thresholds previously associated with the end of the decade are now being reached years ahead of schedule.
Senator Rehman questioned NDMA on whether Pakistan should expect reduced rainfall under evolving climate conditions. Chairman NDMA confirmed that rainfall patterns are becoming increasingly erratic, with less overall rainfall in many areas but more intense and concentrated precipitation events in others, while large parts of the country face prolonged dry spells, increasing stress on water resources and agricultural production.
Senator Rehman observed that Pakistan appears to be entering a period where rainfall itself is becoming increasingly unpredictable.
NDMA further informed the Committee that glacier melt rates have increased by approximately 3.5 percent, while evaporation rates have risen by nearly 3 percent. He warned that accelerated glacier melt, flash flooding, and Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) events are expected to intensify in northern Pakistan. GLOF incidents are projected to rise from approximately 33 to nearly 50 events.
Questioning the long-term implications of glacier loss, Senator Rehman asked a fundamental question: "If glaciers continue to disappear at this pace, where will future water supplies for our reservoirs and dams come from?"
Responding to the Committee, NDMA emphasized the need for large-scale rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge systems, and the development of monsoon basins across the country.
Senator Rehman asked whether any financial costing had been undertaken for such adaptation measures and sought details regarding ongoing planning efforts.
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 immediately share the plan with the Committee for review.
Senator Rehman also raised concerns regarding emerging regional water security challenges. Referring to reports of new Indian infrastructure capable of diverting significant water flows, she underscored the growing importance of water governance, transboundary flows, 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," Senator Rehman said. Recognizing the strategic significance of the issue, she directed that a dedicated Committee briefing on water resources, river flows, storage challenges, and regional water developments be convened in July.
The Committee was further informed that irregular weather patterns, drought conditions, and extreme heat could result in agricultural losses of 11 to 12 percent in affected regions while simultaneously triggering public health emergencies.
Turning to urban environmental management, Senator Rehman emphasized that Pakistan's environmental crisis extends beyond climate impacts to include growing failures in waste management and water pollution.
Reviewing a presentation by the CDA Chairman, the Committee was informed that Islamabad's sewage treatment projects have faced repeated delays since 2023.
Expressing concern, Senator Rehman questioned why critical sewage infrastructure had remained stalled despite the urgency of the problem.
The Committee was informed that bidding processes for three sewage treatment plants are expected to conclude by June 30, with four joint ventures currently undergoing technical evaluation. Officials acknowledged that project allocations remain insufficient and that cost revisions have become unavoidable.
Senator Rehman emphasized that delays in sewage treatment infrastructure have direct consequences for public health and environmental sustainability. "We are effectively infiltrating our rivers, lakes, dams, and water systems with untreated sewage and toxins. This cannot continue," she said.
The Committee was informed that Islamabad currently generates approximately 990 tonnes of solid waste daily, while only around 500 tonnes are regularly collected, leaving significant gaps particularly in rural areas.
Senator Rehman also called for a comprehensive briefing on Islamabad's green cover and urban ecological planning, stressing that Pakistan's cities require significantly greater investment in environmental restoration and protection. She underscored that Pakistan loses 11,000 hectares of forest annually, with only 4.7% forest cover.
Addressing encroachments along waterways and nullahs, Senator Rehman raised concerns regarding the displacement of vulnerable communities, including issues linked to the Bari Imam area.
She emphasized that environmental management cannot come at the expense of social justice. "Poor communities are often removed while more powerful interests remain untouched. Those displaced must have somewhere to go. Housing and rehabilitation are state responsibilities. No one willingly leaves their home," Senator Rehman said.
Calling for people-centred urban planning, she urged CDA to develop a long-term framework that addresses the housing needs of low-income populations and those at the bottom of the social pyramid.