ISLAMABAD: Iftikhar Ali Malik, former president of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, highlighted Pakistan’s severe vulnerability to climate change and criticized the inadequate response from wealthy nations in a seminar titled “Pakistan and Response of Leading Emitters.”
In his keynote address, Malik emphasized that 2022 witnessed a series of climate-related catastrophes worldwide, including droughts, floods, fires, and typhoons. Pakistan’s devastating flash floods and widespread destruction served as a global wake-up call, wiping out villages, displacing millions, and causing significant human suffering.
Malik expressed disappointment at the limited assistance provided by developed countries, stating that their support to Pakistan fell far short of what was needed. He argued that global climate justice should be prioritized, and while progress has been made in raising awareness, the leading emitters have not taken sufficient action.
He compared wealthy countries to polluting factories, responsible for depriving Pakistan of the stable climate conditions it relied upon for economic development, livelihoods, and infrastructure.
He argued that if there were a global climate count, Pakistan would have a strong case against high-income countries for their failure to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
Malik called for accountability, urging governments to allocate the costs of climate losses and damages to the countries historically responsible for them.
He emphasized that the costs of Pakistan’s floods exceeded $30 billion and warned of increased hunger, disease, poverty, and social complications in the coming months.
He asserted that rich countries should bear their fair share of the costs associated with climate adaptation, emergency response, and recovery, particularly in countries that have contributed minimally to the climate crisis.
Malik criticized the denial of historical responsibilities by powerful nations, whether it be for colonialism, slavery, or climate damage.
In response to a question, Malik emphasized that developing countries will not forget the significant role played by wealthy nations in creating the current global climate disasters. As climate-related losses escalate, he predicted growing demands for climate justice worldwide.
He stressed the urgent need for practical support, rather than mere pledges, from the international community to rehabilitate infrastructure, reconstruct destroyed homes, and provide financial assistance to flood-affected areas in Pakistan.
