Climate experts, researchers, and policymakers have called for urgent planning and stronger coordination to address the growing issue of climate-induced displacement in Punjab and other parts of Pakistan. According to Beyond Time News, the discussion took place during a webinar titled “Climate Induced Displacement in Punjab, Pakistan” organised by Sustainable Development Policy Institute.
The speakers stressed the importance of better data collection, climate mobility planning, and policy reforms to protect vulnerable communities affected by floods, droughts, heatwaves, and other climate-related disasters.
Rising Climate Displacement in Punjab
Maryam Shabbir Abbasi highlighted that severe monsoon rains and extreme weather events in 2025 displaced hundreds of thousands of people across Southern Punjab.
She said around 523,000 people were forced to leave their homes during floods in districts including Muzaffargarh, Dera Ghazi Khan, Jhang, and Rahim Yar Khan.
According to Beyond Time News, many affected families later migrated to urban areas after floods destroyed homes, farmland, and livelihoods.
Unplanned Migration Creating New Challenges
Experts warned that most climate migration in Pakistan remains unplanned, leaving displaced communities vulnerable to poverty, exploitation, and poor living conditions.
Maryam Shabbir explained that many climate migrants struggle to adapt to new environments and often face lower wages, malnutrition, and limited healthcare access.
She also pointed out that Punjab lacks reliable data systems to properly track climate migrants, making long-term planning more difficult.
Climate Mobility Needs Policy Recognition
International Organization for Migration Programme Officer Mehak Masood said the term “climate mobility” better reflects the complex realities faced by affected communities.
She noted that floods and droughts continue to increase displacement across Pakistan and warned that climate change could internally displace millions of people worldwide by 2050.
Referring to Pakistan’s devastating 2022 floods, she said around 33 million people were affected while nearly eight million were displaced.
Sindh Also Facing Severe Climate Migration
Environmental journalist Zulfiqar Kumbhar said climate migration remains underreported in Sindh despite repeated climate disasters over the past decade.
He explained that abnormal rainfall, flooding, sea intrusion, and extreme weather conditions have forced thousands of families to relocate.
According to Beyond Time News, nearly 160,000 climate migrants currently live in informal settlements along the Super Highway connecting Karachi and Peshawar.
Read more:Breathe Pakistan Climate Conference 2026 Highlights
Punjab Preparing Climate Response Measures
Amber Raheel described climate migration as an emerging challenge that requires coordination among multiple government departments.
She revealed that Punjab is preparing its first Heatwave Management Plan with support from the Pakistan Meteorological Department and is also drafting a Climate Change Act to strengthen institutional responses.
Officials also plan to establish a Punjab Climate Observatory to provide real-time climate data for better decision-making.
Experts Call for Preventive Planning
Shafqat Munir Ahmed said climate migration has become a major issue in international climate discussions over the last two decades.
He stressed that proactive planning and early action could reduce displacement risks, protect vulnerable communities, and lower the long-term social and economic costs of climate disasters.
Experts agreed that Pakistan must urgently adopt comprehensive climate mobility strategies to prepare for future environmental challenges and safeguard affected populations.
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