ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Sindh General Secretary Senator Waqar Mehdi has called for reform of intergovernmental fiscal transfers so that governments can better cope with fiscal and governance pressures arising from climate change, environmental degradation, water insecurity and natural disasters.
Speaking at the first gathering of Intergovernmental Fiscal Institutions in Manila, Mr Mehdi said climate-vulnerable regions needed fiscal arrangements that took into account differences in exposure to climate risks, environmental responsibilities and fiscal capacity.
The discussion was titled ‘Emerging Issues, Independence and Driving Impact’.
According to a communication received from Manila, Mr Mehdi noted that Pakistan was particularly vulnerable to climate change despite contributing less than one per cent of global greenhouse-gas emissions.
The devastating floods, heatwaves and droughts the country had experienced underscored the need for greater and more timely access to international climate finance, he said.
Senator Mehdi stressed that climate justice required stronger support for adaptation, resilience-building, technology and institutional capacity.
He also called for climate financing that was transparent and predictable, along with stronger climate-budget tagging, closer monitoring of expenditure and effective parliamentary oversight.
Ecological fiscal transfers, targeted and matching grants and performance-based financing could encourage responsible environmental management, he said.
Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2026
