Sindh MPA Proposes Landmark Climate Change Bill Ahead of Private Members’ Day
Karachi – A new climate change bill submitted by MQM-Pakistan’s MPA Najm Mirza is expected to be discussed during the upcoming Private Members’ Day at the Sindh Assembly, officials said.
The proposed Sindh Climate Change Act 2025 aims to make the province a pioneer in environmental governance by requiring the provincial government to prepare a five-year climate action plan and a carbon budget.
Under the draft legislation, no development project would receive approval without undergoing a climate risk assessment. Victims of heatwaves, floods, and droughts would also receive legal protection.
The bill calls for declaring mangroves and coastal areas as climate-protected zones, introducing green procurement rules, and offering incentives for renewable energy initiatives. It also proposes the creation of a provincial Climate Justice Tribunal with the authority to enforce rehabilitation and impose penalties on violators.
Further measures include the establishment of a Climate Data Hub, a modern early warning system to improve disaster preparedness, and climate-focused principles for sustainable development projects. The provincial budget would feature climate tagging to ensure accountability in environmental spending.
If passed, Sindh would become the first province in Pakistan to implement such a comprehensive legal framework to tackle climate change.
The bill comes as Pakistan battles a catastrophic flood crisis in 2025, driven by intense monsoon rains, flash floods, and glacial lake outbursts. The disaster has claimed over 800 lives, affected more than 1.2 million people, destroyed infrastructure, and inflicted economic losses that could reach $50 billion.
Officials warn that measures like those proposed in the Sindh Climate Change Act 2025 are crucial to mitigate the impact of future climate disasters.
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