# *Detailed SUMMARY of the article "Window dressing" by Editorial, Published in Dawn on June 17th, 2025:* The article criticizes *Pakistan*'s inadequate approach to the *global climate crisis* despite being on the *front lines* of climate vulnerability. *Pakistan* contributes less than *1%* to *global GHG emissions* yet remains among the *most climate-vulnerable countries* worldwide. The *2022 floods* affected over *33 million people*, while the country faces recurring *heatwaves*, *droughts*, and *water shortages*. The *federal budget* reveals significant *policy contradictions* with only *Rs85 billion* allocated to *climate adaptation* (including *disaster preparedness*, *food security*, *water security*, *early warning systems*, and *climate-resilient infrastructure*) compared to a massive *Rs603 billion* for *mitigation* (focused on *energy sector subsidies* and rebranded *hydropower projects*). This imbalance is unjustifiable as the *finance minister* acknowledged that *adaptation* is Pakistan's foremost climate challenge. The country's minimal *global emissions profile* limits meaningful impact in mitigation, while urgent investment is needed for *flood exposure*, *heat*, *glacial melt*, and *food insecurity* in vulnerable regions like *Sindh*, *Balochistan*, and *south Punjab*. *Self-defeating fiscal decisions* include introducing a *carbon levy* to curb *fossil fuel consumption* while simultaneously increasing *taxes on solar panel imports* and *hybrid vehicles*, plus rolling back *EV incentives*. These contradictory signals undermine *public confidence* and discourage *private sector participation* in the *green transition*. *Institutional capacity* is weakened as the *Ministry of Climate Change* funding dropped from *Rs3.5 billion* to *Rs2.7 billion*, limiting research, *evidence-based policy* development, and coordination of *international climate finance*. *Provincial governments* lack resources and expertise for effective *adaptation implementation*. The article warns that continued inaction will result in mounting *economic losses*, *displaced communities*, and rising *climate-related deaths*, urging Pakistan to align actions with words, prioritize adaptation, eliminate policy contradictions, and empower institutions as the *climate clock* ticks. # *Easy/Short SUMMARY*: *Pakistan* faces severe *climate vulnerability* with less than *1% GHG emissions* but suffered *2022 floods* affecting *33 million people*. The *federal budget* allocates only *Rs85 billion* to *adaptation* versus *Rs603 billion* to *mitigation*, contradicting the *finance minister*'s acknowledgment that adaptation is the priority. *Policy contradictions* include *carbon levies* alongside increased *solar panel taxes* and reduced *EV incentives*. The *Climate Ministry* budget dropped from *Rs3.5 billion* to *Rs2.7 billion*, weakening institutional capacity while provinces lack adaptation resources. # *SOLUTIONS of The Problem*: ## *1. Rebalance Budget Allocation* Increase *adaptation funding* from *Rs85 billion* to match or exceed *mitigation spending* of *Rs603 billion*. ## *2. Remove Tax Contradictions* Eliminate increased taxes on *solar panels* and *hybrid vehicles* while maintaining *carbon levy* on *fossil fuels*. ## *3. Restore EV Incentives* Reinstate and expand *electric vehicle incentives* to support *green transition* and reduce emissions. ## *4. Strengthen Climate Ministry* Restore *Ministry of Climate Change* funding from *Rs2.7 billion* back to *Rs3.5 billion* or higher. ## *5. Enhance Provincial Capacity* Provide provinces with dedicated *climate adaptation budgets* and technical expertise for implementation. ## *6. Focus on Vulnerable Regions* Prioritize *climate-resilient infrastructure* investments in *Sindh*, *Balochistan*, and *south Punjab*. ## *7. Develop Early Warning Systems* Establish comprehensive *early warning systems* for *floods*, *heatwaves*, and *droughts* nationwide. ## *8. Attract International Finance* Strengthen institutional capacity to coordinate and implement *international climate finance* effectively. ## *9. Encourage Private Sector* Create consistent *green policies* to boost *private sector participation* in *climate solutions*. ## *10. Evidence-Based Planning* Invest in *climate research* and *data collection* for informed *adaptation strategies* and policy development. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the article*: - *Pakistan* contributes less than *1%* to *global GHG emissions*. - *2022 floods* affected over *33 million people* in *Pakistan*. - *Rs85 billion* allocated to *climate adaptation* in *federal budget*. - *Rs603 billion* allocated to *climate mitigation* in *federal budget*. - *Ministry of Climate Change* funding reduced from *Rs3.5 billion* to *Rs2.7 billion*. - Vulnerable regions include *Sindh*, *Balochistan*, and *south Punjab*. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures out of the article*: - *Pakistan* ranks *8th* among countries most affected by *climate change* (*Climate Risk Index*, 2024). - *2022 floods* caused *$30 billion* in economic losses (*World Bank*, 2023). - *Pakistan* needs *$348 billion* by *2030* for *climate adaptation* (*UNDP*, 2024). - *60%* of Pakistan's population lives in *climate-vulnerable areas* (*IPCC*, 2023). - *Global climate finance* to *Pakistan* was only *$1.2 billion* in *2023* (*OECD*, 2024). - *Pakistan*'s *carbon emissions* are *0.9%* of global total (*Global Carbon Atlas*, 2024). # *MCQs from the Article*: ### 1. *What percentage does Pakistan contribute to global GHG emissions?* A. 5% B. 2% *C. Less than 1%* D. 3% ### 2. *How many people were affected by Pakistan's 2022 floods?* A. Over 25 million *B. Over 33 million* C. Over 40 million D. Over 20 million ### 3. *How much was allocated to climate adaptation in the federal budget?* A. Rs95 billion *B. Rs85 billion* C. Rs75 billion D. Rs105 billion ### 4. *What was the Ministry of Climate Change funding reduced from?* A. Rs4 billion to Rs3 billion *B. Rs3.5 billion to Rs2.7 billion* C. Rs5 billion to Rs4 billion D. Rs3 billion to Rs2.5 billion ### 5. *Which regions are mentioned as particularly vulnerable to climate change?* A. Punjab, KPK, Gilgit *B. Sindh, Balochistan, south Punjab* C. Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad D. Northern areas, FATA, AJK # *VOCABULARY*: 1. *Vulnerable* (کمزور) – Exposed to harm or damage 2. *Resilience* (لچک) – Ability to recover from difficulties 3. *Mitigation* (تخفیف) – Action to reduce severity of something 4. *Adaptation* (موافقت) – Process of adjusting to new conditions 5. *Staggering* (حیران کن) – Astonishingly large or shocking 6. *Lopsided* (غیر متوازن) – Uneven or unbalanced 7. *Compounding* (بڑھانا) – Making worse by adding to 8. *Self-defeating* (خود شکن) – Acting against one's own interests 9. *Levy* (ٹیکس) – Tax or fee imposed 10. *Hybrid* (مخلوط) – Combined or mixed type 11. *Transition* (تبدیلی) – Process of changing from one state to another 12. *Contradictory* (متضاد) – Opposite or conflicting 13. *Expertise* (مہارت) – Expert skill or knowledge 14. *Displaced* (بے گھر) – Forced to leave home 15. *Align* (ہم آہنگ) – Bring into cooperation 16. *Empower* (طاقت دینا) – Give authority or power 17. *Fiscal* (مالی) – Related to government finances 18. *Institutional* (ادارہ جاتی) – Related to organizations 19. *Coordinating* (ہم آہنگی) – Organizing joint efforts 20. *Evidence-based* (ثبوت پر مبنی) – Based on scientific proof 📢 *Attention Please!* We appreciate your commitment to acquiring knowledge through our summaries. 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Click the link below to join now 🔗 [Dawn Article Summaries](https://cssmcqs.com/dawn-editorials-articles-summary-for-students-pdf-download/) *WhatsApp Channel Link*: [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y) --- *www.dawn.com* *Window dressing* *Editorial* *3–4 minutes* PAKISTAN is on the front lines of the global climate crisis, yet continues to approach the challenge with a troubling mix of policy confusion, underfunding, and institutional weakness. The country remains among the most climate-vulnerable in the world, without contributing even 1pc to GHG emissions. From the devastating floods of 2022 that affected over 33m people, to the recurring heatwaves, droughts and water shortages, the evidence is everywhere. What remains missing is a credible, well-resourced plan to take these challenges head-on — a plan rooted in data, foresight and political commitment. The recently unveiled federal budget once again reveals the contradictions that have long plagued our climate policy. While the government claims to prioritise climate resilience, its actual allocations tell a different story. Only Rs85bn has been allocated to adaptation — the category that includes essential interventions such as disaster preparedness, food and water security, early warning systems, and climate-resilient infrastructure. A staggering Rs603bn, on the other hand, has gone to mitigation, largely centred around energy sector subsidies and rebranded hydropower projects. This imbalance is difficult to justify. The finance minister himself has acknowledged that adaptation is our foremost climate challenge. Yet, year after year, budgets continue to reflect a lopsided focus on mitigation — a domain where Pakistan's global emissions profile gives it limited room to make meaningful impact. It is the country's exposure to floods, heat, glacial melt and food insecurity that requires urgent and sustained investment, particularly in vulnerable regions such as Sindh, Balochistan and south Punjab. Compounding the problem are self-defeating fiscal decisions. While a carbon levy has been introduced to curb fossil fuel consumption — a step in the right direction — the government has increased taxes on solar panel imports and hybrid vehicles. Incentives for EVs have also been rolled back. These contradictory signals only undermine public confidence in the government's commitment to a green transition and discourage much-needed private sector participation. Institutional capacity is another concern. The Ministry of Climate Change has seen its funding slashed from Rs3.5bn to Rs2.7bn. This not only weakens its ability to conduct research and develop evidence-based policies, but also limits its role in coordinating and implementing climate finance from international donors. Meanwhile, the provinces lack the resources and expertise to implement adaptation measures effectively. We cannot afford to continue down this path. The costs of inaction are already evident — in economic losses, in displaced communities and in rising climate-related deaths. If the country is to weather the storms ahead, it must align its words with actions, prioritise adaptation, eliminate policy contradictions, and empower its institutions to lead from the front. The climate clock is ticking — and Pakistan is running out of time. *Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2025*