Environmental expert calls for joint climate response

July 02, 2026 (MLN): An environmental expert has called for an urgent regional strategy to address cross-border pollution affecting Pakistan, stressing that coordinated diplomatic engagement, stronger public awareness, and greater private-sector participation are essential to confront worsening smog, water shortages, and urban flooding.

Speaking to a state-owned TV channel, environmental expert Dr. Zainab Naeem said environmental challenges such as trans-boundary smog and poor water management require sustained diplomatic dialogue between neighboring countries alongside practical cooperation to reduce their long-term impact, according to APP.

She noted that Pakistan is among the countries most vulnerable to climate-related disasters, adding that seasonal crop residue burning across the border contributes to deteriorating air quality and compounds the effects of rising temperatures and prolonged heatwaves.

Dr. Naeem emphasized that environmental policies should be implemented with urgency, arguing that long-term ecological resilience must take precedence in policymaking to safeguard public health and economic stability.

She further underscored the importance of expanding climate awareness initiatives so that citizens, policymakers, and institutions recognize environmental protection as a shared responsibility that extends beyond political differences.

The expert said the Government of Pakistan, under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has introduced a range of policy measures and mitigation initiatives aimed at addressing environmental challenges while balancing fiscal constraints.

However, she maintained that national efforts alone cannot fully resolve issues driven by cross-border environmental factors.

Calling for stronger regional cooperation, Dr. Naeem proposed establishing a permanent climate-focused diplomatic mechanism for South Asia to facilitate continuous engagement on shared environmental concerns.

She added that combining private-sector investment with effective regulatory enforcement would help reduce pollution and strengthen climate resilience, provided regional stakeholders collectively prioritize environmental sustainability for long-term development.

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