TKF, Ziauddin University Host Dialogue on Community-Led Climate Action for Sindh
The Knowledge Forum (TKF), in collaboration with The Centre for Law and Policy at Ziauddin University, organised a multi-stakeholder dialogue titled “Provincialising NDCs: The Future of Climate Action in Sindh” at Ziauddin University, Karachi, on June 20, 2025.
The event brought together academics, environmental experts, policymakers, journalists, and community leaders to discuss how Sindh can take a stronger role in shaping and implementing its climate agenda. Participants emphasised that climate action must be province-driven and community-led, highlighting that decisions made solely at the federal level often fail to address local realities.
Their consensus emerged at “Provincialising NDCs: The Future of Climate Action in Sindh,” a multi-stakeholder dialogue co-hosted on Thursday by The Centre for Law and Policy at the Faculty of Law, Politics & Governance, Ziauddin University, and the Knowledge Forum taking place at Ziauddin University.
“Islamabad alone cannot design the path forward,” stated Shaaista Sarki, Dean, Faculty of Law, ZU in her opening remarks. “Provinces, and especially local communities, must help shape and implement climate policy.”
Zeenia Shaukat, Director, The Knowledge Forum, noted Pakistan has secured just USD 221 million of the USD 10 billion pledged for its NDCs. “Sindh’s priorities rarely surface in federal budget lines,” she added.
Dr Zulfiqar Umrani, Director, ORIC, ZU, warned the Sindh “moves from one emergency to another,” stressing that coal-based power in the province benefits the entire country and should not translate into penalties for Sindh.
Abdul Raheem Soomro, former Sindh Secretary of Forests, reminded the audience that environmental management is a provincial mandate under Pakistan’s constitution.
Fatima Majeed, Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, described Karachi’s coastline as “on life support,” citing untreated sewage, mangrove loss and collapsing fisheries. Whereas Saeed Baloch, Secretary-General of the Forum, called for non-debt-creating climate finance that reaches “those on the front lines.”
Noorulain Masood, Centre for Social Innovation in Developing Countries, stressed the need for a closer and more constructive alliance between different actors in the Sindh energy landscape, while Ahsan Qazi, Director at the Centre for Law & Policy, ZU, urged the private sector to co-invest in provincial adaptation and mitigation projects.
The participants agreed that well-intentioned laws often stall at execution; civil-society oversight and grassroots participation are essential. They also stressed that Sindh’s contributions are national assets: the province supplies 56 % of Pakistan’s oil and 55% of its daily gas, yet receives only a fraction of climate-finance flows and funding allocations.
Dr Shaaista Sarki concluded, “Sindh doesn’t need more excuses; it needs sincere, coordinated action. With empowered communities and true provincial autonomy, we can build a resilient future.”
