Pakistan Decries Climate Injustice Amid Resurgent Flooding Crisis

Pakistan is facing a dire climate crisis as it grapples with the devastating impacts of monsoon flooding, which has resulted in the deaths of at least 32 individuals across the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces since the onset of the current monsoon season. The country's Climate Change Minister, Musadiq Malik, has publicly condemned what he describes as a 'crisis of injustice' stemming from an inequitable distribution of global climate financing. This situation underscores Pakistan's vulnerability to climate-related disasters, exacerbated by insufficient international support and a lack of adequate funding to address the looming threats posed by climate change.

The Climate Risk Index for 2025 indicates that Pakistan is the most adversely affected country by climate change, with prior flooding events in 2022 resulting in significant casualties and economic losses. Approximately 33 million people were affected by the extensive flooding that submerged a third of the nation, leading to over 1,700 fatalities and an estimated $14.8 billion in damages, according to the report published by the Germanwatch organization in January 2023.

Malik emphasized that the climate crisis is fundamentally a moral one, highlighting that while countries such as China and the United States contribute significantly to global carbon emissions, the financial assistance directed towards Pakistan and similar nations is disproportionately low. 'Eighty-five percent of the world’s green financing is going to the top 10 countries, while the remaining 180 countries receive only 10 to 15 percent,' Malik stated, indicating a systemic inequity in climate funding.

In light of the increasing severity of climate events, experts estimate that Pakistan requires an annual investment of $40 to $50 billion through 2050 to effectively combat the challenges posed by climate change. Earlier this year, pledges totaling around $10 billion were made by multilateral financial institutions and various nations; however, the actual disbursements have fallen short, with Pakistan receiving only $2.8 billion against these commitments.

Moreover, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a $1.3 billion climate resilience loan for Pakistan, yet Malik argues that these funds are inadequate given the scale of the crisis. 'We are paying for it through erratic climate changes and floods that devastate our agriculture,' he noted.

The melting of glaciers in Pakistan, driven by rising temperatures, poses additional risks. A study conducted by Pakistan's climate change ministry in collaboration with the Italian research institute EvK2CNR revealed that the country is home to over 13,000 glaciers, which are now rapidly melting. This phenomenon not only increases flooding risks but also threatens critical infrastructure and the livelihoods of communities dependent on stable water resources.

In a report released last month, Amnesty International criticized Pakistan's healthcare and disaster response systems for their inability to adequately protect vulnerable populations, particularly children and the elderly, from the adverse health effects associated with extreme weather events. Laura Mills, a researcher with Amnesty International, stated, 'Children and older people in Pakistan are suffering on the front line of the climate crisis, exposed to extreme heat or floods that lead to disproportionate levels of death and disease.'

As Pakistan continues to confront these challenges, the international community faces increasing pressure to reassess and enhance its climate financing strategies to ensure that countries hardest hit by climate change receive the necessary support to adapt and recover. The implications of this ongoing crisis extend beyond Pakistan, raising critical questions about global climate justice and the responsibilities of industrialized nations in addressing the root causes of climate change.