ISLAMABAD
\nMinister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday said Pakistan had transitioned from a reactive climate response to a proactive climate-smart planning framework, aimed at tackling the pressing environmental and developmental challenges confronting the country.
\n\u201cOur government\u2019s commitment is clear. We have moved from reactive climate response to proactive climate smart planning,\u201d he said while addressing an event here.The minister said the impacts of climate change had compelled policymakers worldwide to rethink how societies build, plan and live.
\n\u201cEvery flood, every heat-wave and every urban shock reminds us that the durability of our growth depends on the sustainability of our foundations,\u201d he remarked. Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan, being among the most climate-vulnerable countries, could no longer afford to rely on reactive measures. \u201cIn 2022, catastrophic floods caused losses of over $30 billion, and again in 2025, major flooding inflicted widespread destruction. However, our preparedness and lessons learned from 2022 helped us avert much larger losses this time,\u201d he added.
\nHe stressed that climate change was no longer a future concern but a present reality that demanded institutional and policy action on permanent foundations. \u201cUnfortunately, we are champions of more talk and less action. Now we must reverse this – less talk, more action,\u201d he added.
\nThe minister said that political instability had remained the biggest hurdle in implementing long-term policies, adding \u201cNo country in the world has prospered amidst uncertainty and disorder. If we want Pakistan to progress, we must ensure stability in our policies and governance.\u201d
\nReferring to the economic recovery, Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan had narrowly avoided internal default in April 2022, when the Finance Division was unable to issue a monthly budget due to depleted reserves.
\nHe lauded the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for taking difficult decisions that stabilized the economy. \u201cDespite painful adjustments, the people endured because they knew the hardship was not of their making but necessary for national recovery,\u201d he maintained.
\nHe pointed out that international financial institutions had recognized Pakistan\u2019s turnaround. \u201cFitch, Moody\u2019s, and Standard & Poor\u2019s – none of which are government entities – have upgraded Pakistan\u2019s ratings. Inflation has dropped from over 38 percent to 4.5 percent, the policy rate has reduced from 23 percent to 11 percent, and the stock market has nearly doubled,\u201d he highlighted.
\n\u201cPakistan is now ready to take flight, but this time we must ensure that the flight is sustainable and not crash again,\u201d the minister emphasized, adding that the country\u2019s youth deserved a stable and prosperous future based on consistent economic policies.
\nHe said sustainable growth now hinged on integrating climate-smart practices into development. \u201cFuture productivity will depend on whether production cycles are green, net-zero and carbon-efficient. Green buildings do not mean painting structures green; it means adopting designs that reduce emissions, maximize natural light and conserve energy and water,\u201d he explained.
\nThe minister detailed the government\u2019s steps toward implementing a Green Building Code, saying the Planning Ministry had developed a comprehensive manual to ensure that all upcoming public-sector projects follow green construction principles. \u201cThis criterion will now be mandatory for federal development projects, while provincial and local authorities must also integrate similar standards for private sector construction,\u201d he said.
\nHighlighting specific measures, he called for improving water efficiency through sensor-based taps, rainwater harvesting, and recycling of wastewater for non-potable uses such as landscaping. He also stressed the use of low-carbon materials and proper waste management during construction to minimize environmental impact.
\nAhsan Iqbal urged architects, engineers, and development partners to embrace sustainability as a guiding principle. \u201cWe are not short of intelligence, resources or commitment – only of the enabling environment.
\nWe must now create that environment so that the seeds of our progress bear fruit,\u201d he maintained.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday said Pakistan had transitioned from a reactive climate response to a proactive climate-smart planning framework, aimed at tackling the pressing environmental and developmental challenges confronting the country. \u201cOur government\u2019s commitment is clear. We have moved from reactive climate response to proactive climate […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":476986,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-514328","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n