Report: Hurish shah FT:
ISLAMABAD — The Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change, chaired by Senator Sherry Rehman, reviewed the growing threat of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), glacier melt, deforestation and climate-related risks.
The committee was informed that Pakistan has 13,032 glaciers and more than 3,000 glacial lakes, with 33 lakes identified as potentially dangerous. Senator Sherry Rehman said a GLOF event could put around 7.1 million people in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at risk.
Officials said 24 glacial lakes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had been identified, including five categorized as high-risk. Climate-related incidents during 2026 have reportedly damaged 535 houses and 31 bridges.
The committee stressed the need for a unified glacier inventory, regular monitoring, satellite and drone surveillance, AI-based risk assessment and community-based early warning systems. Senator Rehman called for clear, time-bound action plans and stronger coordination among SUPARCO, NDMA, PMD and provincial authorities.
Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik said GLOFs differ from conventional floods and require safe zoning, integrated data systems and stronger regional data sharing. The committee was informed that 34 early warning systems had been installed, while another 284 were expected to be provided within six months.
The committee also discussed deforestation, illegal timber cutting and forest degradation. Officials said the Forestry Component of the Green Pakistan Programme had achieved 54 percent of its overall target.
Progress on the Islamabad Capital Territory (Prohibitions of Plastic Book Covers) Act, 2026, was also reviewed. Senator Rehman stressed that legislation must be followed by effective implementation and enforcement.
Senators Syed Waqar Mehdi, Sarmad Ali, Khalida Ateeb and Bushra Anjum Butt, along with the Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination and relevant officials, attended the meeting.
