Pakistan Faces Deadly Climate Crisis and Global Injustice Amid Flood Devastation

Pakistan Climate Crisis is no longer a future threat—it’s a current catastrophe. As monsoon rains pound the country, flooding has once again turned fatal. Over 32 lives have been lost in the provinces of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a grim reminder of how climate extremes continue to endanger vulnerable populations.

Pakistan, home to more than 13,000 glaciers, sits on the frontlines of climate disaster. From urban flooding to deadly heatwaves, the country is facing unparalleled environmental challenges—despite contributing less than 1% to global greenhouse gas emissions.

Flash Floods Turn Deadly in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

In early July 2025, torrential rains and cloudbursts triggered severe flooding across Punjab and KP, collapsing homes, submerging streets, and displacing thousands.

According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), flash floods caused by monsoon rains have:

• Claimed 32 lives, mostly women and children

• Left dozens injured and over 500 homes damaged

• Disrupted transportation and power infrastructure

These floods come less than three years after the historic 2022 super floods that submerged one-third of the country, displacing 33 million people and causing an estimated $14.8 billion in damages.

Pakistan Climate Crisis – Flooded street in Punjab after monsoon rain

Glacier Melts and Climate Extremes: The Growing Danger

Rising temperatures have led to accelerated glacier melt, particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral, where glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) are becoming more frequent.

Climate scientists warn that continued warming will:

• Increase the frequency of floods and droughts

• Lead to water scarcity and food insecurity

• Damage critical infrastructure, including roads and power grids

The melting of Pakistan’s glaciers threatens not only local ecosystems but also the Indus River system, which supports over 220 million people.

Climate Injustice: Wealthy Polluters vs. Vulnerable Victims

Pakistan’s climate minister Musadiq Malik has openly condemned the “lopsided allocation” of climate finance. According to Malik:

“This is not just a climate crisis—it is a moral crisis. The nations most responsible for emissions are not carrying the burden of their destruction.”

Wealthy nations, particularly the G7 and G20, receive the lion’s share of green funding despite being historically responsible for the climate catastrophe. Meanwhile, nations like Pakistan are:

• Denied equitable access to climate adaptation funds

• Left with broken health systems and inadequate disaster response

• Forced to divert development budgets toward emergency relief

The Need for Urgent and Fair Climate Financing

Pakistan urgently requires international support in the form of:

1. Adaptation financing to build flood-resilient infrastructure

2. Early warning systems and emergency shelters

3. Healthcare investments to protect vulnerable populations

Organizations such as Amnesty International have stressed that the lack of healthcare and basic disaster readiness has exposed children and the elderly to disproportionate risks during extreme climate events.

According to the UNEP Adaptation Gap Report, developing nations need $160–$340 billion annually by 2030, yet current commitments fall drastically short.

Voices of Accountability: Pakistan and Global Advocacy

Pakistan has become a leading voice for climate justice on the global stage, especially following the 2022 floods. The country was instrumental in the establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund at COP27.

However, fund disbursement remains sluggish, and transparency in global climate financing is still lacking. Activists are calling for:

• Binding commitments from wealthy countries

• Fair distribution of climate finance based on historic responsibility

• Inclusion of vulnerable nations in funding decision processes

Internal and External Resources

• National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

• Amnesty International on Climate Justice

• UNEP Adaptation Gap Report

• Internal Link: Karachi’s Water Crisis and Infrastructure Failures

• Internal Link: Heatwave Threatens Lives in Urban Pakistan

Conclusion: A Call for Collective Climate Justice

The Pakistan Climate Crisis is not just a national emergency—it’s a global moral test. While the country drowns under unprecedented floods, it is also drowning under global neglect and broken climate promises.

There is no climate solution without climate justice.

If we continue to ignore the moral responsibility of wealthier nations, the world will not only witness the collapse of vulnerable states—but also lose its chance to collectively survive the climate era.