Sherry Rehman expressed concern over the escalating global climate catastrophe on Sunday, saying Pakistan will be among the first five countries to run out of water if no quick action was taken.
On the occasion of World Environment Day, the minister stated, “The country is severely afflicted, and the urgency of climate change cannot be overstated.”
Pakistan had seen the warmest months on record since 1961, with temperatures ranging from 3 to 6 degrees Celsius above average, she said, adding that the country had endured a harsh and prolonged heatwave with no respite in the form of a breezy spring.
“Summer came early, giving us the longest heatwave in Pakistan’s history,” she said.
“Pakistan must act to save its resources as much as possible. We must work at home to conserve our water, and stop polluting the sea, the air and our soil,” Ms Rehman said, adding that “90pc of our plastics, plastic bags, single-use plastic bottles are ending up in our seas and rivers, which are being consumed by the fish and marine life we eat”.
