President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on World Environment Day, highlighted the growing threat posed by climate change, calling for stronger efforts to protect the environment and address its impact on public health, economic stability, and food security.
President Zardari's Message
In his message, President Zardari emphasized that environmental protection has become a critical challenge at both national and global levels. He noted that despite contributing only a small share of global greenhouse gas emissions, Pakistan remains among the countries most vulnerable to climate-related risks. The president expressed concern over the rapid melting of glaciers, recurring floods, and increasingly frequent heatwaves, and called for urgent measures to improve water management, reduce waste, and conserve natural resources.
He also stressed the importance of preserving forests, promoting biodiversity, and accelerating renewable energy initiatives. President Zardari said young people, the media, and civil society have an important role to play in advancing environmental protection efforts. Calling for environmental protection to be made a central component of national policy, he reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to international cooperation on climate action and said ensuring a sustainable environment for future generations is a shared responsibility.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's Message
In a separate message, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to environmental protection and said the country stands alongside the international community in addressing global environmental challenges. The prime minister said environmental protection is a collective responsibility that requires coordinated international action to confront the growing threats posed by climate change.
He observed that floods, droughts, and the rapid melting of glaciers reflect the reality of climate change and noted that Pakistan is among the countries most severely affected by its consequences. PM Shehbaz said environmental degradation has caused significant human and economic losses and underscored the need for stronger commitment and joint action at the individual, governmental, and international levels.
He urged citizens to adopt environmentally responsible lifestyles and renew their commitment to building a greener, more sustainable, and climate-resilient Pakistan, stressing that protecting the environment is essential for securing a better future for coming generations.
