June 29, 2019

Why isn’t the green trend resonating in Pakistan?

located:	Afghanistan, Pakistan
editor:	Shadi Khan Saif

From the top level official administrative positions to prime time media coverage as well as the community mobilisation at the grassroots, the pivotal environmental issues in Pakistan are not given even the least attention they deserve.

Despite being on the receiving end of bitter climate change impacts, virtually no major political party, or civil society organisations for that matter, have the environment related pressing issues on the agenda in a country of over 200 million inhabitants.

Be it the chokingly dirty air, the killer heat wave or the abrupt changes in rain patterns causing immense destruction, care for the environment remains out of public and private discourse in Pakistan.  

More often than not, the top level government positions for environment-related offices are distributed simply for appeasement purposes amid political wrangling at all levels. The only worthwhile green trend of late has been the ‘Billion Tree Tsunami’ idea launched in 2014 by the provincial government of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Although this has become a national task, the motivation and corresponding practical measures remain far behind.

Pakistan’s national government has allocated only an estimated $46 million for the initiative, compared to the whooping estimated $700 million for the defense budget.

On provincial levels too, the innovative approach is missing both in the official and public quarters to promote recycling, conservation of natural resources. and sustainable lifestyle.

Hazardous industries continue to make breathing impossible on the outskirts among the poor in bustling cities such as Karachi. Substandard plastic bags and low-grade fuel remains in use. Major corporate giants, particularly in the property sectors, have been relentlessly reclaiming shoreline in Pakistan – posing threats to the marine life and native fishermen community. On top of this, the blind quest for nuclear and coal energy in the south of the country would serve as a ticking bomb.

A German-Watch report indicates that more than 524,000 people have died directly from extreme environmental events, and losses from 1997-2016 add up to a total of $3.16 million in Pakistan.

Amid all of this, the political arena is dominated by over-rated jingoism, mud throwing and conspiracy theories. One can only wishfully think, perhaps, the recent rise to fame of Green parties in Europe would inspire a positive change in Pakistan.

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