ISLAMABAD: Speakers and government officials gathered at an event to mark ‘World Day of Glaciers,’ here on Friday highlighting the urgent need to address the growing threats to Pakistan’s glaciers due to climate change.

A statement issued by the ministry said that the event emphasised the crucial role glaciers played in water security, economic stability, and climate resilience, urging immediate policy action to prevent further glacial loss.

Organised by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination in collaboration with UNDP Pakistan, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), and other stakeholders, the event underscored the importance of glacier conservation in Pakistan’s climate adaptation strategies.

Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, the chief guest, stressed that climate change posed an existential threat to Pakistan. He highlighted the alarming rate of glacier melt, which endangers water resources and economic stability. “Over 60 percent of our water originates from glacial melt feeding the Indus River, yet rising temperatures are causing rapid glacier shrinkage. This threatens Pakistan’s already stressed water resources,” he warned.

Minister Aurangzeb noted that Pakistan’s water cycle had been significantly impacted, with seven billion people globally at risk from Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). He praised the work of the Everest-K2 Research Centre but emphasized the urgency of further action. Assuring full financial support for the Climate Change Ministry, he warned that failure to act would severely harm Pakistan’s economy.

Dr Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharal, Minister of State for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to glacier conservation. She stressed that Pakistan’s glaciers, particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral, were critical to water security, yet they are melting rapidly due to climate change.

Dr Kharal outlined key government initiatives, including the glacier conservation Strategy, the establishment of glacial monitoring and early warning systems, integrated water management, and trans-boundary cooperation. She emphasised that these efforts are essential for mitigating risks posed by GLOFs and securing long-term water availability.

She further highlighted the GLOF Risk Reduction Project Phase-II, which set up monitoring systems in northern Pakistan to track glacial changes and protect vulnerable communities.

Dr Kharal also stressed regional collaboration with neighbouring countries like China, India, Nepal, and Afghanistan for joint glacier research, data-sharing, and climate adaptation initiatives.

Aisha Humera Moriani, Secretary of the Ministry of Climate Change, described Pakistan as part of the ‘Third Pole,’ home to the world’s largest frozen water reserves. She warned that rising temperatures are accelerating glacier melt, posing a long-term threat to water security.

UNDP Pakistan Resident Representative Dr Samuel Rizk highlighted the socio-economic impact of glacier loss, citing a 4 percent increase in poverty following the 2022 floods. He stressed the need for urgent international financial support, noting that Pakistan requires billions of dollars by 2030 to build climate resilience.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2025