Fast-melting glaciers and severe weather intensify climate risk, Experts demand urgent intervention

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Apr, 2026) Khadim Hussain and climate expert Zainab Naeem on Friday warned that climate change is rapidly intensifying in Pakistan, triggering heatwaves, floods and other extreme weather events, and called for the declaration of a glacier emergency along with strict enforcement of environmental protection measures to protect fragile ecosystems.

Khadim Hussain, Director GB-EPA and climate change expert Zainab Naeem, in an exclusive conversation with a local media channel explained that glaciers in northern areas are melting rapidly due to rising temperatures, posing a serious environmental threat.

Khadim Hussain and climate expert Zainab Naeem warned that worsening climate change in Pakistan is rapidly intensifying glacier melt, while reduced snowfall and erratic rainfall are forming unstable glacial lakes that increase the risk of devastating floods and further glacier retreat, particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan and surrounding regions.

They cautioned that the situation is no longer limited to environmental damage, as rising temperatures are also threatening food security by disrupting crop cycles, reducing agricultural productivity and increasing pressure on water resources essential for farming communities.

They further highlighted that human activities are accelerating the crisis, including tourist vehicle emissions, excessive diesel consumption, wood burning for cooking, and unregulated development projects, all of which are contributing to rising temperatures and deepening ecological imbalance.

Khadim Hussain said that, in coordination with the Ministry of Climate Change, work is underway on new glacier protection regulations aimed at reducing environmental pressure and ensuring the sustainable management of fragile mountain ecosystems.

Zainab Naeem stressed that without urgent collective action, the worsening climate crisis could severely damage ecosystems, livelihoods, agriculture and long-term food security, urging stronger environmental enforcement, eco-friendly tourism policies, and large-scale public awareness campaigns to protect glaciers and restore ecological balance.