Pakistan Floods: Climate Crisis or Governance Failure
Pakistan is one of the most vulnerable countries to natural disasters, even though it contributes less than 1 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet it remains one of the worst affected as the environment is shared, but is climate the only reason behind the catastrophe or is this disaster also human induced
Floods in Pakistan are not merely natural calamities brought by climate change, they are also a result of governance failures, highlighting weak institutions, poor planning, policy negligence, and a lack of climate adaptation
Pakistan has a harsh history with floods, with the 2010 and 2022 floods being the worst, causing billions of dollars in losses, large scale displacement, and significant loss of lives, these floods not only cause temporary damage but also leave permanent scars on the affected communities and the economy
Currently, Pakistan is facing a similar catastrophic situation, recent floods have caused over 900 deaths across the country, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa KPK being the most affected, reporting more than 450 deaths
Experts outline several major causes behind these floods, encroachments on riverbanks, unreliable data, and profit driven development practices, which turn heavy rainfall into large scale human tragedy, climate related drivers include intense monsoon rains and accelerated glacial melt, heavy rainfall combined with melting glaciers raises water levels beyond capacity, causing overflow, additionally, deforestation and poor land use reduce the land’s ability to absorb water
Governance related causes include inadequate infrastructure, poor enforcement of policies, and limited financing, the scarcity of dams reduces the water storage capacity, increasing vulnerability, although Pakistan has climate policies, the lack of proper implementation and gaps in accountability make them less effective
Pakistan has introduced two national climate change policies, the National Climate Change Policy 2012 aimed to mainstream climate action across sectors and integrate climate considerations into governance, the second and the latest policy introduced in 2021 builds on the previous policy, emphasizing resilience building, low carbon development, and prioritizing climate adaptation due to Pakistan’s high vulnerability
However, the challenge lies in implementation, institutional coordination is weak, resources are scarce, and decision making lines are unclear, to address this, a Framework for Implementation 2014 to 2030 was introduced, setting targets, timelines, and responsibilities, yet policies remain ineffective due to the lack of enforcement mechanisms, financial constraints, and weak monitoring and evaluation systems, coordination gaps widened after the 18th Amendment, which fragmented authority between federal and provincial governments, the Ministry of Climate Change MoCC lacks control over provincial departments, which themselves struggle to respond effectively
With Pakistan’s unstable economy, climate action often takes a back seat to other urgent issues, the government largely operates reactively, responding only after disaster strikes, rather than investing in prevention and preparedness
Pakistan must strengthen key institutions such as the National Disaster Management Authority and its provincial counterparts, providing them with resources and autonomy to take proactive resilience building measures, there is an urgent need to invest in climate resilient infrastructure, especially dams and effective drainage systems, to manage excess water and reduce inundation risks, enhancing early warning systems and improving community preparedness can significantly reduce disaster impacts
Urban areas are becoming increasingly vulnerable due to rapid unplanned urbanization, informal settlements often lack proper regulations, increasing the risk of urban flooding and heat island effects, stronger urban planning and strict enforcement are essential to mitigate these rising climate threats
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance, policies, or official position of The Spine Times.
Laiba Maheen
The writer is a student of Social Sciences and Public Policy.
