Karachi: Impact of climate change on Gilgit-Baltistan discussed at seminar
Karachi, September 22: (PR) National Students Federation Gilgit Baltistan (NSFGB)and Gigit Baltistan Writers Forum (GBWF) conducted a seminar on “Climate Change, Its Political Perspective & Its Impact on Gilgit-Baltistan and rest of the World” at Irtaqa Center, Gulshan Iqbal Karachi. More than 30 students from across Gilgit Baltistan, Sindh and Baluchistan did attend the seminar. A thoughtful two-way lecture was delivered by a panel of environmental experts and political activists. Mr. Wali Haider (Chief Executive of “Roots for Equity” and an expert in Environmental and Climate studies) Explained Climate Change with its Political Perspective. Comrade Sabahuddin (senior member of Awami Workers Party and ex-Deputy Director Quetta) and Mr. Salahuddin Gandapur (senior barrister of Sindh High Court and member Supreme Court Bar Association) also discussed Climate Change as an imperialist-induced chaos. Comrade Anayat Baig (General Secretary NSF, Gilgit Baltistan, Sindh Zone) elaborated the impact of Climate Change in Gilgit Baltistan, where he listed down the historical timeline of the biggest environmental deteriorating events in Gilgit-Baltistan from 1994-2012. The most popular tragedy of environmental change in GB, the Atta Abad tragedy was being highlighted and its political perspective was dissected in detail.
“The youth of Hunza, who stood up for the compensation of Climate Change victims were attacked by the police on protocol of Chief Minister and at least two people (father & son) were killed. The allegations of the two murders were alleged to the activists of Hunza and people are in jails for last four years.” said comrade Anayat Baig.
The speakers commonly agreed to reject the term “Natural Disaster” and used the term “Man Made Disaster” for climate change events. The floor was opened for questions and answers at the end where majority of the students from GB showed concerns over the role of NGOs in Gilgit Baltistan.
“There are steps to solve this issue of climate change and you have to start with the one which is more difficult. Firstly, you need to condemn it yourself, you need to agree on the fact that these floods, cyclones, melting of Glaciers and excessive rains etc are not just by nature. After Condemning at individual capacity than you need to mobilize others for the same cause, this can be the path towards an effective solution”, Said one of the panelist on the question of “What is the solution to Climate Change Chaos in GB”?
Students and youth from Gilgit-Baltistan praised the session and the choice of topic and suggested to continue this trend in future. At Last Comrade Ehtisham Khan (President NSF, Gilgit-Baltistan Sindh Zone) thanked the participants and the panel on behalf of NSFGB and GBWF, and the seminar was concluded.
