Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman Friday called for urgent and collective action to address the growing environmental challenges facing Pakistan, warning that climate change is no longer a future threat but a present and serious reality affecting the country’s economy, food security and water resources.
In her message on World Environment Day, Sherry Rehman said Pakistan has suffered an estimated economic loss of nearly $59 billion due to climate-related disasters over the past three decades.
She said that the devastating floods of 2022 and 2025 exposed the country’s vulnerability to extreme weather events and underscored the need for stronger climate resilience measures.
Highlighting the worsening water crisis, she said the per capita water availability in Pakistan has declined from around 5,000 cubic meters to below 1,000 cubic meters, placing the country under severe water stress.
She also expressed concern over the growing threats to glaciers and freshwater reserves, which are vital for Pakistan’s long-term water security.
The PPP leader said Pakistan generates approximately 50.79 million tonnes of solid waste annually, including nearly 3 million tonnes of plastic waste, creating significant environmental challenges. She added that air pollution had also reached alarming levels, posing serious risks to both public health and the environment.
Sherry Rehman welcomed the 2026 legislation banning plastic book covers in Islamabad, describing it as a positive step toward reducing single-use plastics and protecting the environment.
Despite the challenges, she said meaningful progress is possible through the promotion of clean energy, large-scale afforestation, water conservation and modern waste management systems.
“Environmental protection is not solely the responsibility of governments; it is the duty of every citizen,” she said, urging the people to adopt environmentally friendly lifestyles by conserving water, planting trees and reducing plastic consumption.
She stressed that immediate practical measures were needed to ensure a safer, greener and more sustainable Pakistan for future generations.