Published on, Aug. 19 -- August 19, 2025 7:02 AM
History has shown us that natural disasters have always been part of human existence. Yet enlightened and responsible democratic states learn from these calamities. They analyse their failures, build robust systems, and protect their people from future threats. Their decisions are not driven by short-term politics or populist slogans but by sustainable policymaking, legal frameworks, and scientific research. Unfortunately, Pakistan's environmental journey tells a different story-one filled with regrets, delayed responses, broken promises, and aid appeals buried in piles of paperwork.
Consider the Netherlands, a country largely below sea level, which awoke after the devastating 1953 floods. It redefined its waterways, introduced the "Room for the River" project, and constructed the "Delta Works," one of the most advanced flood protection systems in the world. This system includes storm surge barriers, dams, and sluices that protect millions of people and vital economic infrastructure. As a result, despite rising sea levels, the Netherlands has kept flood-related deaths near zero for decades.
The United States, by enacting the Clean Air Act in 1970, established stringent environmental regulations. These measures drastically reduced air pollution, improved public health, and set an example worldwide for balancing industrial growth with ecological preservation. South Korea undertook massive reforestation campaigns, planting over 9 billion trees between 1970 and 2000, transforming barren landscapes into lush green mountains. This helped reduce soil erosion, improve air quality, and boost biodiversity.
Bangladesh, despite being a lower-middle-income country with limited resources, developed community-based cyclone preparedness programs. These early warning systems, combined with cyclone shelters and public education, reduced cyclone death rates by nearly 90% from the 1970s to today, showcasing how social mobilisation and preparedness save lives. In contrast, Pakistan's record is bleak. Since the catastrophic floods of 2010, every natural disaster has played out in a repetitive pattern: warnings ignored, devastation unleashed, political statements made, aid promised, and then silence. The 2010 floods displaced over 20 million people, destroyed 2 million homes, and caused economic losses estimated at $10 billion. The United Nations appealed for over $2 billion in aid but Pakistan only received about $600 million.
The 2022 floods were even more devastating-1,739 people lost their lives, over 33 million were affected, and economic damage soared to approximately $40 billion, nearly 9% of the country's GDP. Despite promises at the 2023 Geneva conference to provide $9 billion in aid, actual disbursement remains under $1 billion. Much of the pledged aid sits in bureaucratic queues or is entangled in IMF conditions and diplomatic formalities. The World Bank warns that if Pakistan fails to address climate challenges seriously, it risks losing 20% of its economic output by 2050. The Asian Development Bank classifies Pakistan among the top five countries most vulnerable to climate-related disasters. Amnesty International's reports paint Pakistan as one of the five most climate-sensitive countries globally.
Yet, government policies and priorities suggest apathy more than urgency. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) are mostly reactive, kicking into action only after calamities strike. Pakistan allocates a mere 0.2% of its GDP to environmental research, compared to the global average of 2.3%. Furthermore, much of the limited funds are wasted on consultancies and inefficient projects rather than on implementing effective, science-based interventions. Nature seems to remind us relentlessly. The 2023 cloudburst in Bonair, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, shattered lives-over 200 people perished, farms were destroyed, homes flattened. The cries of a breastfeeding infant trapped in the rubble and the silent suffering of bereaved mothers shook the nation's conscience. Yet, in Islamabad and Peshawar, political power games overshadowed empathy, and state machinery remained sluggish.
Citizens repeatedly ask: Where are the billion trees promised? Where are the billions pledged in aid? Where is the climate policy that was announced with fanfare? Where is the state that vowed to clean drains, research cloudbursts, and introduce modern technology? Experts like Professor Shafiq Ahmed Kamboh of Punjab University had long warned of increased cloudbursts and erratic rains. Yet these voices fell on deaf ears, lost in red tape and political inertia. Pakistan lacks a National Flood Plan, a comprehensive Drainage Master Plan, and a modern flood alert system integrated with meteorological data. While countries like China have initiated "Sponge Cities" to absorb rainwater and reduce flooding, Pakistan still relies on outdated infrastructure and short-term fixes. Corruption and mismanagement further erode public trust. Auditor General reports reveal that up to 40% of the billion-tree plantation program's claimed achievements are unverifiable. The ambitious Living Indus Project suffers from inconsistent funding and a lack of oversight.
Pakistan must prioritise environmental governance by establishing a high-level Climate Change Commission with representation from scientists, policymakers, and civil society to ensure integrated and evidence-based decision-making. Implementing national flood and drainage plans modelled on the Dutch example can allow rivers to expand naturally during floods, reducing pressure on embankments and urban centres. Expanding community-based disaster preparedness and investing in early warning systems, cyclone shelters, and public education - replicating Bangladesh's successes - can save countless lives. Increasing investment in research and technology is crucial, aiming to allocate at least 2% of GDP to environmental and climate studies. Promoting reforestation with transparent monitoring systems and engaging local communities in sustainable land management will help restore the environment. Environmental laws must be enforced strictly, strengthening the National Climate Policy and pollution control measures. Reducing reliance on foreign aid by building internal capacity to manage disasters and climate change will make Pakistan more resilient and self-reliant.
For now, only mourning remains-mourning the children swept away by floods, the mothers who buried their beloved, the farmers whose livelihoods turned to dust, and a state that offered politics instead of protection. Will Pakistan gift future generations a secure, sovereign, and sustainable homeland? Or will it continue to drown in floodwaters, broken promises, and bureaucratic apathy? The decision rests not with rulers alone but with the people themselves. It is the nation's collective responsibility to demand accountability, invest in resilience, and build a Pakistan that truly safeguards its environment and citizens. The time to act is now. The future will not forgive further delay.