Pakistan Takes a Stand: Climate March Calls for Urgent Action

The Pakistan Maholiati Tahaffuz Movement organized a climate protest in Karachi, joining forces with Yasir Darya's Climate Action Centre. The demonstrators, including eviction victims and fishermen, stressed climate change, hunger, poverty, and corporate farming's impact. Key speakers urged immediate action to address these pressing issues.

In Karachi, the Pakistan Maholiati Tahaffuz Movement spearheaded a climate march, aimed at pressing the government to address critical issues such as climate emergency, hunger, and poverty. The demonstration, conducted in collaboration with Yasir Darya's Climate Action Centre, emphasized the urgency of immediate intervention.

Yasir Darya expressed satisfaction with the turnout, noting, 'I am glad that people are now taking climate change seriously.' Participants included victims of a demolition drive near Orangi Nullah, highlighting the deep societal impacts of unchecked environmental policies.

Among the voices of disquiet was Naveed, an eviction victim, who shared, 'My daughter is grown up now, and we've been displaced for four years without any compensation or justification from government officials. We're here hoping our voices will be heard, even if it feels hopeless.' Fishermen also joined the protest, demanding protection for marine life, which is crucial for their livelihood.

Kulsoom Bibi from Sindh spoke out about the dire consequences of marine contamination on their sustenance, questioning, 'If there's no marine life left to catch, how will we feed ourselves?' Additionally, Nooruddin from Jacobabad raised concerns about corporate farming's detrimental effects on landless farmers, accusing land mafias of resource theft.

Speakers Ahmad Shabbar, Pastor Ghazala, and Yasir Hussain underscored the pressing need for climate action while drawing attention to interconnected issues of hunger, poverty, and the plight of landless farmers. Their calls for action highlighted the urgent need for cohesive strategies to combat climate and socio-economic challenges. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)