Pakistan’s Climate Crisis – From Droughts to Floods | Editorials by CSS & PMS Aspirants
The following article, “Pakistan’s Climate Crisis – From Droughts to Floods: A Nation at the Crossroads“, is written by Khadija-tul-Kubra, a student of Sir Syed Kazim Ali. Moreover, the article is written on the same pattern, taught by Sir to his students, scoring the highest marks in compulsory subjects for years. Sir Kazim has uploaded his students’ solved past paper questions so other thousands of aspirants can understand how to crack a topic or question, how to write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.
Pakistan has been grappling with a deepening climate crisis, oscillating between crippling droughts and devastating floods. Undeniably, from the parched landscapes of Tharparkar to the inundated plains of Sindh, the country’s environmental reality is increasingly defined by extremes. Though the causes are global, the consequences are profoundly local, which are manifested in food insecurity; infrastructure collapse; water scarcity; and displacement. This editorial examines how climate change is reshaping Pakistan’s geography, economy, and social fabric and why timely, cohesive, and evidence-based interventions are no longer optional but imperative.
The Climate Crisis from Vulnerability to Catastrophe
Starting the debate, understanding that Pakistan’s climate vulnerability is not a recent development is essential. Indeed, Pakistan has always been prone to environmental fluctuations at the crossroads of several climatic zones. However, in recent decades, the intensity and frequency of these fluctuations have grown alarmingly. The Global Climate Risk Index 2021 by GermanWatch ranked Pakistan as the 8th most climate-affected country in the world over the past two decades. This statistical ranking reflects the experiences of millions of Pakistanis whose lives and livelihoods are at the mercy of erratic weather.
Moreover, the contradiction cannot be starker. In one region, women walk miles daily to fetch water from drying wells. In another, families are evacuated from waist-deep water that floods their homes during the monsoon season. In 2022 alone, record-breaking floods displaced over 8 million people, submerged one-third of the country, and caused an estimated $30 billion in economic damage, according to the United Nations. At the same time, Balochistan and parts of southern Punjab continued to face prolonged droughts, which impacted crop yields and depleted groundwater reserves. Thus, these concurrent disasters reflect a climate system that is unpredictable and unmanageable without comprehensive reform.
- Geographic Vulnerability
First, Pakistan’s geographical and climatic conditions make it uniquely vulnerable to environmental disasters. With over 7,000 glaciers in its northern regions, Pakistan holds the most significant number of glaciers outside the polar areas. While these icy reserves are a crucial source of freshwater for the Indus River system, they are also melting at an unprecedented rate due to rising temperatures. Additionally, in 2022, the Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority reported over 16 glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), more than any previous year on record. These floods destroyed bridges, homes, and agricultural lands, highlighting the urgent need for early warning systems and glacial monitoring programs. Conversely, southern Pakistan – including Sindh and Balochistan – receives scant rainfall and suffers from chronic water scarcity. Therefore, the coexistence of water surplus and water shortage within the same nation presents a planning challenge of immense proportions.
- Urban Fragility
Second, fragile infrastructure exacerbates the impact of climate change, especially in urban centres. Many Pakistani cities are expanding rapidly but without effective climate-sensitive urban planning. For example, Karachi experienced severe flooding in 2020, leaving major roads underwater and cutting off entire neighbourhoods for days. According to the World Bank report, poor drainage systems, unregulated construction, and encroachments on natural waterways were major contributors to the disaster. Similarly, rainfall regularly overwhelms the sewerage systems in Lahore and Rawalpindi due to silted drains and blocked nullahs. Despite multiple policy announcements, the implementation of sustainable urban infrastructure thus remains sluggish, mainly due to bureaucratic inefficiency and lack of coordination between local and provincial authorities.
- Agricultural Disruption
Third, the agricultural sector, which supports over 38 per cent of the workforce, is directly threatened by climate change. Sadly, extreme weather events, shifting seasons, and rising temperatures have reduced the productivity of staple crops like wheat, rice, and cotton. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, cotton production declined by over 30 per cent between 2020 and 2022, primarily due to unseasonal rains and pest infestations fueled by warmer climates. Meanwhile, smallholder farmers lack access to climate-resilient seed varieties or information systems to plan for erratic seasons. This not only jeopardizes national food security but also exacerbates rural poverty and widens economic disparities. Additionally, floods frequently destroy standing crops and livestock, thereby creating a cycle of debt and displacement from which many farmers struggle to recover.
- Water Scarcity
Furthermore, Pakistan is facing a looming water crisis, intensified by both climate change and mismanagement. While the melting of glaciers may temporarily increase river flows, long-term projections suggest a steep decline in freshwater availability. To elaborate, the Indus River accounts for nearly 90 per cent of Pakistan’s freshwater supply and is already stressed. And according to the International Monetary Fund, Pakistan’s per capita water availability has plummeted to under 1,000 cubic meters, the threshold for water scarcity. However, inefficient irrigation practices, water theft, and lack of modern storage facilities compound the problem. Alarmingly, 60 per cent of water is lost due to seepage and evaporation in outdated canal systems. Hence, Pakistan can face absolute water scarcity by 2040 unless bold reforms are enacted in water governance.
- Policy Paralysis
Lastly, institutional inertia and fragmented policy frameworks continue to delay climate action. Although Pakistan introduced its National Climate Change Policy in 2012 and updated it in 2021, practical implementation has remained limited. Budget allocations for climate adaptation are minimal, and projects often stall due to a lack of inter-provincial coordination or political will. For example, while commendable, the ambitious Ten Billion Tree Tsunami project has faced criticism for inconsistent monitoring and questionable plantation data. Furthermore, disaster management authorities are often reactive rather than proactive. The absence of climate education in schools, limited research funding, and weak community engagement further undermine the country’s ability to adapt. Thus, effective climate resilience requires policy and strong institutions to translate plans into results.
A Call for Urgency and Unity
Admittedly, despite the magnitude of the crisis, Pakistan’s climate response remains heavily donor-dependent and reactive in nature. While international aid and pledges – such as the $10 billion commitment secured at the Geneva conference in 2023 – are welcome, they cannot substitute for internal accountability and political resolve. What is missing is an integrated, all-of-government approach where climate policy is mainstreamed into economic planning, urban development, and national security. Therefore, Pakistan must shift its mindset from disaster management to risk reduction and adaptation to long-term resilience. Without this shift, the country would suffer needlessly from foreseeable and preventable crises.
Choosing a Future Before It is Chosen for Us
In conclusion, Pakistan’s climate crisis is no longer a future concern but a present emergency. As floods, droughts, and displacement grow more frequent, the country must move beyond reactive measures. Hence, urgent, bold action and a unified national strategy are essential to safeguard its people and future.
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