Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has said that the world was experiencing diverse impacts of climate change more than ever and it was important to empower people to become part of climate change initiatives.

He said this in his message on the occasion of Earth Hour being commemorated all over the world on March 24, 2018.

The speaker remarked that in pursuit of reducing emissions, the parliament of Pakistan had become the first ever parliament completely powered by solar energy. He added that under the Net-Metering License, the parliament has contributed surplus electricity to the national grid.

The speaker highlighted that various environment friendly initiatives at the Parliament House have been taken.

Sardar Ayaz Sadiq asserted that Pakistan’s experience should be emulated by the global community to address genuine climate concerns.

“People are on the frontlines of climate change. The Earth Hour reminds us that individual and global community actions can prove to be a milestone to transform the climate challenges and protect generations to come,” he said.

The speaker said Pakistan’s Vision 2025 considered climate change as one of the top national priorities and provided a sound base to integrate climate change budgeting into national development planning.

Endorsing Earth Hour, the speaker highlighted that the lights of the Parliament will be switched off between 8:30pm to 9:30pm to show Parliament’s commitment of joining hands with the world for energy conservation, combating of climate change and global warming.

During the occasion, the National Assembly Acting Speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi has called upon the parliamentarians and people of Pakistan to observe the Earth Hour today (Saturday) along with the international community by switching off extra lights between 8:30pm to 9:30pm.

Published in Daily Times, March 24^th  2018.