Climate Terrorism More Dangerous Than Any Other Threat, Says Federal Minister Musaddiq Malik
LAHORE (Qudrat Roznama): Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Musaddiq Malik, has warned that Pakistan is facing the severe impacts of climate change, describing “climate terrorism” as more dangerous than any other form of terrorism.
Addressing an event, Malik highlighted the devastating consequences of recent floods in Pakistan. He stated that over the past few years, more than 6,000 people have lost their lives, over 19,000 were injured, and 40 million Pakistanis were displaced, half of them children. Thousands of schools were destroyed, leaving 20 million children deprived of education.
Malik emphasized that climate change acts like a new form of terrorism, halting national development. He added that a major flood has caused losses equivalent to 9.8% of Pakistan’s GDP, pushing annual economic growth down to 3–4%. Small farmers have lost crops, and access to seeds and fertilizers has been disrupted, forcing millions of families back into poverty. Rising temperatures are rapidly melting glaciers, increasing the risk of severe floods.
He criticized the global carbon emission system, noting that Pakistan contributes less than 1% to global emissions, while the top 10 polluting countries are responsible for 70–75% of global pollution. Shockingly, these same nations receive only 8% of green financing, while developing countries face export restrictions and barriers to green business.
Malik stressed that powerful countries are implementing new industrial policies while imposing restrictions on vulnerable nations. He concluded that the global climate agenda has exposed its true face, and the demand for climate justice is gaining renewed momentum.
