Gilgit; Seminar Stresses Urgent Collective Action Against Climate Change
Chitral Times Report
Gilgit, Pakistan : The seminar titled “Climate Change: Our Collective Responsibility”, held in Gilgit, was jointly organized by Ismaili CIVIC Pakistan, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Pakistan, and the Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan. The event brought together representatives from the government, civil society organizations, environmental and development experts, partner institutions, and the media to discuss practical solutions to the growing climate challenges in country in general and in Gilgit-Baltistan in particular.
The seminar emphasized the escalating impact of climate change in the region, including melting glaciers, unpredictable rainfall, flash floods, causing loss of life, damaging infrastructure, displacing communities, and disrupting livelihoods. Representatives from Ismaili CIVIC, WWF-Pakistan, the Aga Khan Development Network, the Environmental Protection Agency, and UNDP GLOF-II shared insights on community-driven sustainability initiatives, policy approaches, and lessons from previous interventions.
“Pakistan has been one of the countries most affected by climate change, and recent floods in Gilgit-Baltistan remind us of the urgent need to act,” said Afzal Shahabuddin, Member Communication, Ismaili Council for Pakistan. “Addressing climate change requires innovative and holistic community-led solutions rooted in strong civic engagement. When communities take ownership, lasting impact becomes possible.”
A panel discussion in the seminar featuring Haider Raza (WWF-Pakistan), Sobia Ali (EPA), Mohammad Zaman (AKRSP), and Kiran Qasim (Media) highlighted the importance of long-term planning and collaboration among government, civil society, and communities.
Haider Raza, Director North WWF-Pakistan, in his address, emphasized that community awareness and indigenous knowledge should be integral to strategies for reducing the impacts of climate change.
In a message to the seminar, Nizar Mewawalla, President of the Ismaili Council for Pakistan, underlined that addressing climate change has been central to the vision of the Ismaili Imamat and AKDN agencies. Speaking about recent relief efforts during floods, he stated that future investments in this area will focus on building long-term resilience and establishing early warning systems.
Aligned with its mandate to protect the environment and mitigate climate change, the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is actively reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris Accord. AKDN is committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, reinforcing its dedication to sustainability and environmental conservation.
By bringing together experts from diverse backgrounds, the seminar aimed to promote shared understanding, build synergies, and inspire joint initiatives that contribute to climate resilience and sustainable development، particularly in the northern regions of Pakistan.
Speaking at the seminar, Sobia Mustafa, Deputy Director, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Gilgit-Baltistan, emphasised, “Gilgit-Baltistan has climate-related policies in place, but the real challenge lies in regularly reviewing them and ensuring they are implemented in both letter and spirit. Communities play an integral role in adopting climate-smart practices and driving local initiatives, as their active participation creates the greatest and most lasting impact.”
