Urgent Call for Study: How Climate Change Affects Children and the Elderly
On April 29, Pakistan reported substantial advancements within the Sindh Environment, Climate Change, and Coastal Development Department thanks to the guidance of Secretary Agha Shahnawaz Khan.
During a top-tier conference led by the Secretary, crucial choices were made concerning the department’s efficiency, advancement initiatives, ecological preservation, and bureaucratic issues. Attending this gathering were Special Secretary Ayan Bhutto, Additional DG Waqar Hussain Phulpoto, Director of Administration at SEPA Ashiq Ali Langa, Director of Natural Resources Muhammad Imran Sabir, along with several other high-ranking officers.
At the start of the meeting, Secretary Agha Shahnawaz Khan emphasized that addressing climate change stands as the primary objective for his department. He mentioned, “Our vision encompasses offering a pristine environment, secure shores, and an emerald Sindh for coming generations.” Furthermore, he highlighted, “Protecting nature is everyone’s societal duty, and I am closely overseeing our progress to guarantee tangible improvements reach society at large.”
At the meeting, the Secretary voiced significant dissatisfaction with the holdups in promoting development personnel and instructed that the matters concerning seniority lists and timelines be addressed lawfully without further postponement. To speed up this process, a dedicated committee led by Director Admin Ashiq Ali Langa was established.
Secretary Agha Shahnawaz made a significant decision by appointing Additional DG Waqar Hussain Phulpoto as the Acting Director General of SEPA. He called for clear and rapid measures regarding an active anti-corruption investigation. Additionally, he stressed the importance of speeding up the resolution of Annual Audit and DAC matters, and ordered that a comprehensive report on spending related to development projects should be acquired from the Planning and Development Department.
The Secretary recognized the department’s praiseworthy work, pointing out that even with financial limitations, SEPA maintained transparency. During the meeting, a comprehensive compliance report addressing the instructions from the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary Sindh was shared. He instructed for an urgent execution of court orders along with thorough documentation of every unresolved case.
He expressed contentment about the absence of unresolved disciplinary matters within the department but displayed significant disapproval regarding the neglect in filling positions reserved for minorities and people with disabilities. He promptly called for the finalization of documentation concerning the unoccupied roles.
Gratitude was evident since no grievances were filed against the department through the Prime Minister's Citizen Portal, attributed to the team's diligent efforts.
The Secretary of the Environment ordered the creation of an extensive report detailing how climate change affects children and senior citizens, with consideration of the forthcoming Amnesty International publication. Additionally, he requested thorough assessments covering issues such as air quality, analysis of industrial waste, examination of public transportation vehicles, and suggested revisions to current environmental legislation.
At the end of the meeting, Secretary Agha Shahnawaz expressed his continued dedication by saying, “We have taken significant practical measures across various tiers to succeed in our fight against environmental issues. It’s now crucial that we start delivering tangible outcomes. We’ve established the groundwork for a Green Revolution in Sindh and are resolute in tackling these environmental hurdles directly.”