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Speaking at a symposium on “Sustainable Development and Climate Resilience in Balochistan,” Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti emphasized that climate change has become the biggest global challenge of the modern era. He stated that despite facing direct and severe impacts of climate change, Balochistan continues its journey toward development with determination. Highlighting the situation, he said that drought, irregular rainfall, floods, extreme heatwaves, and weather inconsistency have significantly affected the province’s socio-economic structure, with poor and vulnerable communities bearing the greatest burden. He further revealed that 51% of households in Balochistan suffer from income poverty, while 71% of the population faces multidimensional poverty.
The Chief Minister explained that the provincial government has adopted a comprehensive climate change policy to address these challenges. The policy outlines clear strategies for adaptation and mitigation in key sectors including energy, transport, agriculture, and water. He said that significant progress is being made in renewable energy, particularly in solar and wind projects, to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Efforts are also underway to promote electric vehicles and environmentally friendly transport infrastructure.
In the agriculture sector, he noted that climate-smart practices such as conservation agriculture and agroforestry are being encouraged to enhance food security and reduce carbon emissions. The province is also taking crucial steps to improve water management and protect and restore forests.
Highlighting another major opportunity, Mir Sarfraz Bugti said that carbon trading could open new doors for climate finance in Balochistan. The province is developing a strong framework for carbon markets, which includes the identification of potential projects such as blue carbon initiatives. He cited the success of Sindh’s Delta Blue Carbon Project as an example that Balochistan can also follow to contribute to global climate goals.
He added that the Balochistan Climate Change Fund is actively supporting projects related to adaptation, mitigation, and capacity building. Provincial recommendations for national climate targets also prioritize sustainable development, low-carbon growth, and environmental resilience.
In his concluding remarks, the Chief Minister urged all institutions, international partners, the private sector, and civil society to work together to tackle the climate crisis. He said that achieving long-term positive outcomes requires collective effort and consistent collaboration. He congratulated the organizers on the successful symposium and expressed hope that continued joint efforts would make climate action more effective and meaningful.
