The Supreme Court was updated on Wednesday regarding the federal government’s policy on climate change, which is set to be completed and submitted by August 15. The update came as a three-member bench addressed the implementation of effective climate change policies in the country.
The bench, led by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and including Justices Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Shahid Bilal, heard the case. Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Climate Change Romina Khurshid Alam was also present during the hearing.
Chief secretaries from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Balochistan briefed the court on their provincial efforts to combat climate change. They reported that nearly all 195 projects in K-P had been completed.
Justice Shah inquired about Balochistan’s climate policy, established in June 2024. The additional advocate general informed the court that 19 dams were being constructed in the province with federal support.
Addressing Alam, the court emphasized that the federal government should provide a comprehensive report on its climate change measures. The attorney general for Pakistan stated that the policy would be finalized by August 15 and submitted to the court. The hearing was adjourned until that date.
Senate Panel Criticizes Climate Ministry’s Performance
Sherry Rehman, chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change, expressed dissatisfaction with the Ministry of Climate Change’s performance, citing a lack of strategy to address the critical issue.
During a briefing on the ministry’s performance in a committee meeting on Wednesday, Climate Change Secretary Aizaz Dar outlined that the government is formulating a carbon policy. He mentioned that approved projects are valued at Rs441 million, with pipeline projects exceeding Rs1558.60 million.
Dar also noted that 113 biosafety licenses were issued following three months of meetings and urged the Planning Commission and provinces to code their data.
However, the committee chairperson rejected the presentation submitted by the Climate Change Ministry, calling it outdated and lacking clarity on the ministry’s priorities, recent initiatives, and public messaging regarding climate change.
Rehman stressed the urgency of transitioning to renewable energy by 2030 and questioned the ministry’s preparedness. “What is the plan? What will you get from international donors with this presentation? Such a presentation will not help us. Do you know how the Climate Authority will work?” she asked.