Zubair Qureshi
A large number of young students, members of civil society, climate activists, farmers, artists and concerned citizens Friday took to streets of the federal capital to become part of the ‘largest climate march’ in the world history.
The participants of the march demanded of the government to declare climate emergency to save planet earth. They also called for stringent and immediate actions in response to the global climate crisis.
The march was organized and participated by the Ministry of Climate Change, members of civil society organizations, activists, students, farmers and concerned citizens to demand transformative action in response to the global climate crisis.
Adviser to Prime Minister on Climate Change, Malik Amin Aslam also joined the Climate March and termed inaction on climate change by the world leaders and international community as the worst ‘human right violation’ in history.
“Pakistan demands climate justice from the global community, where the world must take action to counter climate change for a sustainable planet for generations to come”, he said. Pakistan will lead the climate emergency in Asia, he added.
Minister of State for Climate Change, Zartaj Gul Wazir said the massive participation in the Climate March and enthusiasm showed the level of awareness among the people of Pakistan about dire consequences of climate change.
She said the PTI government after coming into power started ‘Clean Green Pakistan’ movement with the purpose to ensure safe and healthy environment for every citizen.
Environmentalist Maryam Shabbir was of the view the purpose of the Climate March was to demand low carbon economies and global action against emissions. “Every developmental project is cutting trees without following regulations”, she said. Government must end deforestation and should act against timber mafia, she added.
Participants of Islamabad Climate March, while presenting their charter of demand to the Adviser and the Minister of the State called upon the government for climate resilient urban planning and development.
Marchers also presented Islamabad specific demands and urged the government to preserve green spaces, encourage frequent plantation drives, introduce congestion charges and promote vertical development to reduce urban sprawl to help protect the environment.
