Experts have issued a stark warning that nearly half of Pakistan’s population could face food insecurity by 2030 due to the intensifying impacts of climate change, including severe water shortages, prolonged droughts, and escalating heatwaves.
This call for urgent action was made during a two-day symposium titled “Climate Change, Agriculture, Human Nutrition, and Development in Pakistan,” hosted by the Institute for Global Health and Development (IGHD) at Aga Khan University (AKU) in collaboration with the Sustainable Development Solutions Network Pakistan (SDSN).
Alarming Predictions and Key Challenges
In his closing remarks, Prof. Dr. Zulfiqar Bhutta, founding director of the IGHD at AKU, highlighted the dire consequences of glacial melting and erratic rainfall on Pakistan’s Indus River system, which sustains 90% of the country’s agriculture. He described these challenges as “unprecedented threats” to food security.
Quoting Prof. Sir Andrew Haines from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Dr. Bhutta underscored that humanity had breached critical planetary boundaries, including those for climate change and biodiversity, propelling global systems into dangerous territory.
The symposium also shed light on the gendered impact of climate change. Women, who contribute 40-60% of Pakistan’s agricultural workforce, are disproportionately affected but remain excluded from key decision-making processes. Experts further highlighted Pakistan’s alarming rates of malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies as critical issues compounded by climate change.
Collaborative Efforts and Innovative Solutions
Chief guest Jawed Sibghatullah Mahar, Sindh’s planning and development secretary, emphasized the need for collaborative, inclusive strategies to address climate challenges. “Climate change is a present reality requiring innovative solutions,” he stated, urging a stronger connection between research and policymaking.
Dr. Tania Bubela, AKU’s provost, advocated for cross-disciplinary collaboration, calling climate change a “multidimensional crisis” demanding coordinated action. Echoing these sentiments, AKU Dean Dr. Adil Haider emphasized the institution’s commitment to evidence-based initiatives to ensure resilience and sustainable development.
Key Initiatives and Research Highlights
The symposium’s inaugural session featured Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, chairman of the Higher Education Commission, announcing a plan to raise Rs. 100 million for a national platform of experts dedicated to addressing climate-induced challenges. This initiative, conceptualized by Dr. Bhutta, seeks to unite specialists across health, agriculture, food security, and nutrition.
Experts presented various strategies to combat climate-induced risks:
- Dr. Abid Suleri from the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) outlined cost-effective climate investments.
- Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali, chairman of the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council, discussed biotechnological advancements in rice and wheat production.
- Dr. Mehreen Mujtaba from the federal health ministry addressed gaps in nutrition policies exacerbated by climate challenges.
- Dr. Jai K Das from AKU highlighted the disproportionate impact of heatwaves on rural women and children.
A panel discussion emphasized adopting nature-based solutions and well-crafted climate mitigation strategies to enhance resilience. Speakers advocated for transitioning from reactive measures to proactive, evidence-driven approaches.
Call to Action
Concluding the event, Dr. Bhutta urged immediate action to safeguard Pakistan’s future. “We must move beyond reactive responses and implement proactive strategies to combat these challenges effectively,” he said.
The symposium ended with a collective commitment to fostering interdisciplinary research and implementing actionable solutions for sustainable development. Experts called for urgent attention to food security, health, and environmental sustainability as interconnected priorities in Pakistan’s battle against climate change.
