Pakistan’s PM to seek climate justice from the global community

GHRTV Author

Oct 6, 2022 - 11:21 Updated: Jan 27, 2023 - 14:38

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Pakistan’s PM to seek climate justice from the global community

Photo: Climate Justice. Markus Spiske/Unsplash 2019.

06-10-2022

Charlotte Parker

Pakistan and Human Rights Researcher

Global Human Rights Defence

Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shebhaz Sharif, has blamed the floods experienced in the country to the emissions of wealthy nations who, in Sharif’s opinion, have contributed more to the climate crisis than Pakistan. He is now asking for those nations to aid Pakistan’s flood recovery efforts.

The Prime Minister concretely suggested asking the international community for the possibility of a foreign debt moratorium. However, this idea has not been supported by Pakistan’s finance minister, Ishaq Dar, who rather expressed a need for donations and aid in reconstruction efforts. The Prime Minister clarified this was not a matter of seeking reparations from such wealthy polluting countries, rather “(...) that they should take notice of the situation, take responsibility and act speedily before it’s too late, before the damage becomes irreparable – not just for Pakistan, but for the world.”

However, the Prime Minister has also criticised the support previously given by the international community in the form of donations and commitment for support, making it unclear exactly what he would consider appropriate taking of responsibility. Sharif stated the current support is not enough, and that the crisis is beyond Pakistan’s fiscal means, with a continuously widening gap. He also pointed out the promise of wealthy nations to commit $100bn a year in climate fund for less developed nations, made over a decade ago and yet to be completed. In response to the UN General Secretary’s and the US President’s urges to the international community to grant support to Pakistan’s climate crisis, Sharif expressed practical demonstrations of these statements were more important and that “[t]hey must come forward with a far better and a far bigger plan to rescue us and rehabilitate us and put us back on our footing.”

This aim towards climate justice, as Sharif calls it, comes after Pakistan’s official death toll rises to 1,600, the number of displaced people surpasses 9 million, and over 2 million homes have been destroyed, alongside a worsening health and food security crisis all as a result of the ongoing floods due to climate breakdown. This crisis has put Pakistan, which has already been facing economic catastrophe, in a nearly impossible economic situation with the current damage estimated at around $35bn. Thus, increasing the need for international aid, particularly amidst ongoing criticism of Sharif's government for insufficient aid and assistance.

Although Sharif’s concessions may not be entirely heard by the international community, there is an important point to note within his reasoning. If Pakistan is responsible for merely 0.8% of global carbon emissions, but is one of the most affected countries in terms of climate catastrophes, shouldn’t those responsible for higher emissions assume their share of the crisis?

Sources and further reading:

Hannah Ellis-Petersen and Shah Meer Baloch. Pakistani PM says he should not have to beg for help after catastrophic floods. (2022, 6 October). Theguardian.com. Retrieved 6 October 2022 from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/06/pakistani-pm-says-he-should-not-have-to-beg-for-help-after-catastrophic-floods