Pakistan Declares Climate and Agriculture Emergency Amid Flood Devastation
The federal government has officially declared a climate and agriculture emergency in response to the widespread floods devastating Punjab and other regions. The move comes after thousands of villages, farmlands, and homes were submerged, leaving families displaced and livestock lost.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed a special committee to assess the damage to agriculture, recommend financial compensation for farmers, and propose measures to reduce the disaster’s economic impact.
Immediate Relief Needed
Experts say the first priority must be direct support for affected communities. This includes:
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Compensation for small farmers who lost crops.
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Soft loans to help purchase seeds and inputs for the next crop cycle.
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Food, fodder, and healthcare services to prevent disease outbreaks in flood-hit areas.
Authorities have also been urged to protect consumers from rising inflation by ensuring food imports arrive on time and by taking strict action against hoarding.
Beyond Relief: Long-Term Climate Action
While relief efforts are underway, the government has been reminded that short-term aid alone is not enough. The destruction caused by recent and past floods highlights the need for:
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Sustained investment in climate adaptation and mitigation.
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Resilient infrastructure to withstand extreme weather.
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Support for rural livelihoods to protect food security.
The prime minister has stressed the importance of a comprehensive climate strategy, building on initiatives like the 31-point Declaration on Rights of Nature & Climate Justice under the Breathe Pakistan campaign. This framework calls for restoring ecological balance, protecting vulnerable communities, and ensuring sustainability for future generations.
Shared Responsibility
Tackling climate change requires cooperation between the federal and provincial governments, as well as support from businesses, civil society, and high-net-worth individuals. Climate change is not just a rural issue — it affects the entire economy, raising risks for industries, trade, and investment.
Pakistan’s growing vulnerability to floods, droughts, and heatwaves makes it urgent to build climate resilience now. Declaring an emergency is only the first step; the real test lies in coordinated, long-term action.
