ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar told a gathering on the margins of the United Nations climate conference in Dubai on Sunday Pakistan needed up to $17 billion for the next 15 years to work on the ecological restoration of the Indus River.
The giant waterway, nurturing the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, one of the world’s earliest urban cultures, has been a lifeline for the region for millennia, fostering agricultural prosperity and cultural development.
It continues to remains crucial to Pakistan’s sustenance, ensuring its food security, providing vital water resources and driving economic growth through hydroelectric power and other industries.
The prime minister, who is currently on a week-long visit to the Middle East and leading his country’s delegation at the 28th UN Conference of Parties (COP28) that began on Nov. 30, raised the issue at a ceremony organized by Living Indus, the largest climate initiative in Pakistan.
“Pakistani government is clear on its priorities with Living Indus, and we will work together to tackle the challenges, especially now that climate changes are aggravating,” he said.
“This initiative suggests that we need a minimum indicative investment of $11-17 billion over the next 15 years to mobilize from the public and private sector, citizens and communities,” he added.
Launched last September with UN support, the Living Indus initiative aims to protect and restore the vital river. The project aims to address challenges such as water scarcity, pollution, and habitat degradation through conservation and sustainable management.
The Indus Basin is home to 90 percent of Pakistan’s population and contributes to over three-quarters of its economy.
Despite its historical and ecological significance, however, the Indus is said to be the world’s second most polluted river.
Kakar thanked the World Wildlife Fund, United States Agency for International Development, Coca-Cola Foundation and Green Climate Fund for successfully developing “Recharge Pakistan” that aims to reduce climate vulnerability, calling it the first step toward Living Indus.
The project is designed to increase water storage and recharge through wetlands, floodplains and hill-torrents management.
“This will come in pieces, we understand, especially as Pakistan is facing a financial challenge,” he said, adding the flagship project with an international commitment to climate finance of nearly $78 billion was central to the country’s efforts in reducing future flooding and drought impacts.
The prime minister said flood and water resource management under the Living Indus framework would not only benefit millions of citizens but also serve as a model for climate innovation on a global scale.
“But more important is that the Living Indus initiative seeks to mobilize a movement that repairs and restores a healthy Indus for today and tomorrow,” he added.
Pakistan PM stresses $17 billion Indus River restoration need at Dubai’s COP28 sideline event
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Pakistan PM stresses $17 billion Indus River restoration need at Dubai’s COP28 sideline event
- Ninety percent of Pakistan’s people and more than three-quarters of its economy reside in the Indus Basin
- Kakar applauds project to increase water storage and recharge through wetlands, hill-torrents management
Pakistan military says 12 militants killed after coordinated attacks in Balochistan
- ISPR says militants targeted a police station and two banks, taking away $12,000
- Balochistan CM says one civilian was injured, warns militants of tougher response
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military said on Friday security forces killed 12 militants during a clearance operation in the southwestern Balochistan district of Kharan after coordinated attacks on a police station and two banks a day earlier.
In a statement, the military’s media wing said 15 to 20 militants carried out multiple attacks in Kharan city on Thursday, targeting the City Police Station as well as branches of the National Bank of Pakistan and Habib Bank Limited, looting Rs3.4 million ($12,000).
“Security Forces effectively responded and engaged the terrorists, prompting them to retreat,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. “During the ensuing clearance operation, twelve terrorists were sent to hell in three different engagements.”
The ISPR said the militants had attempted to create a hostage situation at the police station, which was thwarted, adding that “sanitization operations” were continuing in surrounding areas.
Earlier, Chief Minister Balochistan Sarfaraz Bugti said the attackers entered the area for a brief period of five to ten minutes and fled after the attacks, adding that one civilian, identified as Abdul Hakeem, was shot in the neck and evacuated to a military hospital for treatment.
“They came for five to ten minutes, tried to break into banks and ATMs and took around Rs3.4 million from the National Bank,” Bugti told a news conference, warning that future attacks would be met with force.
The military described the militants as members of “Fitna Al Hindustan,” a term Pakistan uses for Baloch separatist groups it accuses of operating with Indian backing, an allegation New Delhi denies.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least populated province, has long been plagued by separatist violence, with attacks frequently targeting security forces, infrastructure and civilians.
