Regional cooperation vital to address climate-induced displacement in South Asia: Iftikhar Malik

LAHORE, Nov 01 (APP):SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry former President Iftikhar Ali Malik on Sunday stressed the need for timely regional cooperation to address the growing threat of climate-induced displacement in South Asia. According to a spokesperson, he said the threat was particularly serious in South Asia, where weak regional cooperation could hamper coordinated efforts to deal with the consequences of climate change. He warned that climate-induced displacement could become another source of regional instability unless countries prepared for the challenge collectively. He said cooperation in climate forecasting, disaster management and population displacement could help countries anticipate common challenges and develop effective responses. The real challenge was to ensure that people forced to leave their homes due to climate change could rebuild their lives with dignity and access to essential services. Iftikhar Ali Malik said Pakistan must make climate mobility a permanent consideration in its development planning. Provincial and local governments needed reliable information about areas likely to be affected and the services required to support displaced populations. He emphasized that land-use policies, affordable housing, vocational training, education and healthcare facilities must be planned in line with changing population patterns. Referring to the growing climate crisis, he said sinking coastlines in Bangladesh and drought-hit districts in Pakistan reflected the mounting pressure on livelihoods across South Asia. Quoting the International Organization for Migration (IOM), he said around 40.5 million people could face displacement by 2050 due to climate-related changes, warning that several parts of South Asia could become increasingly difficult to inhabit. He said the warning deserved serious attention as large-scale displacement could further aggravate existing challenges, including poverty, overcrowded cities, unemployment and competition for limited resources.