Pakistan turns to science diplomacy as climate risks intensify
Pakistan turns to science diplomacy as climate risks intensify/node/2630906/pakistan
Pakistan turns to science diplomacy as climate risks intensify
Resident Sarwae Hussain stands amid floodwaters as he waits for ration handouts following monsoon rains and rising water levels of the Chenab River, in Seetpur, Punjab province, Pakistan, September 13, 2025. (Reuters/File)
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is exploring the use of science diplomacy to strengthen evidence-based climate policymaking as the country faces increasingly severe climate risks, the climate change ministry said on Wednesday.
Federal Minister for Climate Change Dr. Musadik Malik discussed the approach with Alexis Roig, chief executive officer of Barcelona-based SciTech DiploHub, an organization that works with governments to integrate scientific expertise into public policy, according to an official statement.
The discussions come as Pakistan grapples with intensifying climate impacts, including frequent heatwaves, extreme rainfall, floods, droughts, storms and cyclones. The country is investing in climate resilience after devastating floods in 2022 and 2025 displaced millions, destroyed homes, infrastructure and farmland, and caused multi-billion-dollar economic losses, the government says.
“The discussions focused on leveraging Pakistan’s local knowledge and research resources, while underscoring the importance of science-based and evidence-driven policymaking,” the statement said.
“The development of structured training and fellowship programs, including models to place scientists within government ministries, was also explored to enhance policy formulation and implementation.”
According to the statement, both sides agreed to jointly develop a roadmap within a week outlining future areas of collaboration, including mobilizing climate scientists, supporting climate finance efforts and establishing scientific advisory frameworks.
Pakistan is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, despite contributing less than one percent to global carbon emissions.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Qatar on Tuesday agreed to deepen their strategic and economic cooperation during high-level talks between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Sharif’s office said.
Sharif visited Qatar along with a high-level delegation on the invitation of Qatari emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The Pakistani premier also held meetings with Qatar’s trade and defense ministers to discuss cooperation in various domains.
The visit came at a time when Pakistan is seeking closer economic engagement with Gulf partners amid its broader push to stabilize the economy and attract investment, while maintaining security and defense cooperation with key regional states.
During their meeting in Doha, PM Sharif and Qatar’s Sheikh Mohammed discussed bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and international developments, according to the Pakistan prime minister’s office.
“They reaffirmed the strong brotherly relations between Pakistan and Qatar and expressed satisfaction at the growing momentum in political, economic and institutional ties,” Sharif’s office said.
“Discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in the fields of trade and investment, energy, defense, manpower and labor and culture, with both sides stressing the importance of their task force to accelerate cooperation in all these areas.”
Pakistan and Qatar maintain strong trade and investment ties. In 2022, the office of Qatar’s emir said the Qatar Investment Authority planned to invest $3 billion in Pakistan, targeting sectors including transport, aviation, education, health, media, technology and labor.
Nearly 300,000 Pakistanis live and work in Qatar, according to Pakistan’s foreign office, with many employed in health, education, engineering and public services, as well as construction and transport. The two countries engage through forums such as the Bilateral Political Consultations and the Joint Ministerial Commission.
Sharif said he had productive discussions with Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on how the two sides could transform their brotherly ties into mutually beneficial economic relationships.
“We also took stock of the regional situation,” he said on X. “Pakistan and Qatar will continue to work together for peace and stability in the region and beyond.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (second right) meets the Qatari Emir Qatar’s emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (left) in Doha, Qatar, on February 24, 2026. (PID)
DIALOGUE WITH AFGHANISTAN
Earlier, Sharif and Qatar’s Deputy PM Sheikh Saoud Al-Thani discussed the situation in Afghanistan and called for dialogue to support regional stability.
The meeting took place amid renewed tensions after Islamabad carried out airstrikes last week on what it described as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) targets inside Afghanistan. Kabul said the strikes killed civilians and vowed to respond to what it called a violation of its sovereignty.
“Regional developments were also discussed, in particular the situation in Iran and Afghanistan,” Sharif’s office said in a statement. “Both sides emphasized the importance of dialogue, de-escalation and collective efforts to promote peace and stability in the region.”
This was the second time in less than six months that Pakistan conducted airstrikes in Afghanistan. The last strikes triggered heavy, weeklong clashes between the neighbors along their border before Qatar and Turkiye mediated a ceasefire between them in Oct. last year.
Separately, Sharif held meetings with Qatar’s State Minister for Trade Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Sayed and a delegation of the Qatar Businessmen Association (QBA), highlighting Pakistan’s investment-friendly reforms.
He invited QBA members to explore opportunities in infrastructure, logistics, energy, agriculture, technology and export-oriented manufacturing, his office said.
