ISLAMABAD, Aug 18 (Alliance News): Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr Musadik Malik on Tuesday called for greater youth participation in Pakistan’s climate and water policies, saying young people could help bridge the gap between policy decisions and implementation on the ground.
Addressing a National Youth-Led Policy Roundtable on Water Resilience and Climate Action in Pakistan, organised by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination in collaboration with WaterAid Pakistan, the minister said youth could contribute to policy formulation, implementation, monitoring and accountability.
“Green skills, Climate University, startups, this is how the ministry is turning the idea of youth partnership into lived reality,” Dr Malik said, highlighting initiatives aimed at creating opportunities for young Pakistanis to contribute to the country’s climate agenda.
He stressed the need for stronger partnerships between the government, youth, academia, research institutions and the private sector to promote evidence-based policymaking and innovation.
Youth can strengthen climate policy implementation
Dr Malik said young people’s presence in communities across Pakistan positioned them to monitor implementation, identify gaps and provide evidence to policymakers.
He said greater youth involvement could help ensure that climate and water policies translated into practical results at the community level.
The minister also called for women’s empowerment and the inclusion of vulnerable and marginalised groups in climate and water policies and projects.
Provinces need stronger capacity
Referring to the 18th Constitutional Amendment, Dr Malik said important areas of water management and service delivery fell within provincial jurisdiction.
He said this required greater provincial institutional, technical and human capacity alongside federal leadership and coordination.
The minister noted that climate and water challenges differed across regions, stressing that policies must respond to local needs and vulnerabilities.
He said indigenous and community knowledge should be used alongside scientific and technical expertise to develop effective solutions.
Focus on measurable results
Dr Malik said the focus must now shift from policy commitments to “visible and measurable results” on the ground.
He emphasised the importance of cooperation among government institutions, young people, researchers, academia and the private sector to strengthen Pakistan’s climate resilience and water security.
Federal Secretary for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Awais Manzur Sumra and senior ministry officials also attended the roundtable.
Young participants from across Pakistan shared their experiences and recommendations on water scarcity, floods, droughts, sanitation, public health and climate resilience.
They called for greater youth involvement in decision-making, community action and accountability to address the country’s growing climate and water challenges.
