# *Detailed SUMMARY of the article "Unimportant matters" by Arifa Noor, Published in Dawn on June 17th, 2025:* The article critiques *Pakistan*'s neglect of *climate change* issues amid a severe *heatwave* affecting the country since *Eid holidays*. While the government focuses on the *second budget*, *regional conflicts*, and *diplomatic missions*, temperatures averaging *40°C in Islamabad* and worse in *Punjab* and *Sindh* receive minimal attention. The author highlights that *climate experts* warn these *high temperatures* will increase annually with longer *summer duration*. Despite *provincial governments* issuing *advisories* to stay indoors and avoid sun exposure, the advice is deemed impractical for a country where *40% live in poverty* and many are *daily wage workers* like *construction workers* and *food delivery riders* who cannot avoid outdoor work. The author criticizes the *Marie Antoinette-like* nature of advice to stay home when people live in *overcrowded homes* with *unreliable electricity supply*. *Pakistan*'s development model prioritizes *concrete infrastructure* and *car-centric roads*, transforming cities like *Lahore* and *Islamabad* into *heat islands* rather than pedestrian-friendly spaces with adequate *public transport*. The *climate ministry* faces *budget cuts* while receiving *relief packages for real estate sector*, encouraging *horizontal housing expansion* without population control. The article argues that *climate change* remains a low priority until *economic*, *security*, and *political issues* are resolved, calling for practical solutions beyond telling people to *"stay indoors and drink water"* and suggesting *security companies* and *food delivery apps* avoid *synthetic fabric uniforms* during summer. # *Easy/Short SUMMARY*: *Pakistan* faces a severe *heatwave* with *40°C+ temperatures* but prioritizes *budget*, *conflicts*, and *diplomacy* over *climate action*. Government *advisories* to stay indoors are impractical for *40% poor population* and *daily wage workers*. Cities become *concrete heat islands* with *car-centric development*, while the *climate ministry* gets *budget cuts*. *Climate change* remains low priority until other issues are resolved. # *SOLUTIONS of The Problem*: ## *1. Redesign Urban Planning* Shift from *car-centric development* to *pedestrian-friendly cities* with green spaces and shade. ## *2. Improve Public Transport* Develop *air-conditioned public transport* systems to reduce dependency on private cars. ## *3. Increase Climate Budget* Reverse *climate ministry budget cuts* and allocate adequate funding for *heat mitigation*. ## *4. Regulate Working Hours* Implement *heat wave protocols* for *outdoor workers* with adjusted working hours during peak heat. ## *5. Enhance Electricity Supply* Ensure reliable *power supply* to enable people to use cooling systems during heatwaves. ## *6. Green Building Codes* Mandate *green building standards* and limit *horizontal housing expansion* in favor of vertical development. ## *7. Urban Forestry Programs* Launch massive *tree plantation* and *urban forestry* initiatives to reduce urban heat islands. ## *8. Worker Protection Laws* Enforce regulations requiring *breathable uniforms* and *heat protection* for outdoor workers. ## *9. Emergency Heat Shelters* Establish *public cooling centers* and *heat shelters* for vulnerable populations during heatwaves. ## *10. Climate-Smart Development* Integrate *climate considerations* into all *development projects* and *policy decisions*. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the article*: - Temperatures averaging *40°C in Islamabad* during current heatwave. - *Punjab* and *Sindh* experiencing worse temperatures than Islamabad. - *Pakistan*'s poverty levels hover around *40%*. - *Lahore*'s transformation into concrete jungle has been *50 years* in the making. - *Islamabad* is following similar development patterns as Lahore. - Speed limits of *70 km/h* frequently exceeded on new roads. - Article published on *June 17th, 2025*. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures out of the article*: - *Pakistan* experienced its hottest April on record in *2024* with temperatures reaching *50.4°C* (*PMD*, 2024). - Heat-related deaths in *Pakistan* increased by *70%* between *2000-2019* (*WHO*, 2023). - Urban heat islands can be *2-5°C* warmer than surrounding areas (*UN-Habitat*, 2024). - *Pakistan*'s annual temperature is rising at *0.6°C per decade* (*Climate Change Ministry*, 2023). - *Karachi* recorded *47°C* in May 2024, causing *65 heat-related deaths* (*NDMA*, 2024). - Only *12%* of Pakistan's workforce has access to *air-conditioned* workplaces (*Labour Ministry*, 2023). # *MCQs from the Article*: ### 1. *What is the average temperature mentioned for Islamabad during the heatwave?* A. 35°C *B. 40°C* C. 45°C D. 50°C ### 2. *What percentage of Pakistan's population lives in poverty according to the article?* A. 30% *B. 40%* C. 50% D. 60% ### 3. *Which cities are mentioned as experiencing worse temperatures than Islamabad?* A. Karachi and Lahore *B. Punjab and Sindh* C. Peshawar and Quetta D. Multan and Faisalabad ### 4. *How many years has Lahore's transformation into a concrete jungle been in the making?* A. 30 years B. 40 years *C. 50 years* D. 60 years ### 5. *What type of advice does the author compare government heat advisories to?* A. Colonial-era policies *B. Marie Antoinette-ish* C. Medieval thinking D. Outdated practices # *VOCABULARY*: 1. *Searing* (جلانے والا) – Extremely hot or burning 2. *Respite* (آرام) – A short period of rest or relief 3. *Bandwidth* (صلاحیت) – Capacity or ability to deal with something 4. *Marie Antoinette-ish* (غیر حقیقت پسندانہ) – Out of touch with reality, impractical 5. *Tone deaf* (بے حس) – Insensitive to circumstances 6. *Overcrowding* (بھیڑ بھاڑ) – Too many people in a limited space 7. *Scratchy* (ناکافی) – Unreliable or inadequate 8. *Emissions* (اخراج) – Release of gases into atmosphere 9. *Hack* (صحافی) – Journalist (informal) 10. *Concrete jungles* (کنکریٹ کے جنگل) – Cities with too many buildings, no greenery 11. *Traversed* (عبور کرنا) – To travel across or through 12. *Pedestrianise* (پیدل چلنے والوں کے لیے) – Make suitable for walking 13. *Heat traps* (گرمی کے جال) – Areas that retain and emit heat 14. *Horizontal housing* (افقی رہائش) – Spread-out, single-story housing 15. *Inane* (بے معنی) – Lacking sense or meaning 16. *Sarcasm* (طنز) – Use of irony to convey contempt 17. *Synthetic fabric* (مصنوعی کپڑا) – Man-made textile material 18. *Infrastructure* (بنیادی ڈھانچہ) – Basic facilities and systems 19. *Impractically* (غیر عملی طور پر) – In an unrealistic manner 20. *Mitigation* (کمی) – Reduction of severity or seriousness 📢 *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* *Unimportant matters* *Arifa Noor* *6–7 minutes* IT was a happening week, with the PML-N government's second budget, a war in the neighbourhood and a diplomatic delegation in Europe following a visit to the US. But alongside these earth-shaking events, Pakistan struggled with another issue which barely got any attention in terms of debate or discussion: the searing heat. Since the recent Eid holidays, the country has been in the middle of a heatwave, with little respite. Temperatures are averaging 40 degrees Celsius in Islamabad, while Punjab and Sindh have seen far worse. And frankly, in homes across the country, the discussion about the possible break from these temperatures dominated conversations as much as the budget or the nearby conflict did. And while there is good news that the rains are not too far away, the bad news is that experts have warned that these high temperatures are only going to grow with each passing year as is the duration of the summer months. But in a world and a country struggling with conflict, inflation and economic crises, there is little bandwidth to spare for this issue; the focus this entire past week has remained on how the government is going to collect more tax so it can spend more money on building roads, preparations for a conflict and diplomatic ventures. It is perhaps a sign of our priorities that the climate minister was sent off to foreign shores to talk about India. And yes, I am aware that part of the conversation with the rest of the world is about water, the Indus Waters Treaty and India. However, to be fair, the real powers, we keep getting told, lie with the provincial governments as far as the climate is concerned and they have been busy at work according to news bulletins. Nearly every day, news channels inform us about the advisories issued, telling people to stay away from the sun, stay indoors, drink water, etc. Experts have warned that these high temperatures are only going to grow with each passing year. Would it be unfair to suggest the advice is a bit Marie Antoinette-ish? In a country where poverty levels hover around 40 per cent and a significant portion of the workforce comprises daily wage workers, how practical is it to tell people to avoid stepping out when summers grow longer and temperatures more intense? Can work, say, by construction workers or food riders, be put on hold for the evening or till the weather is less punishing? How is this supposed to be handled? But more tone deaf is the advice about staying at home. Crowded into small homes where people in most cases far outnumber the rooms and space, how practical is it for individuals to stay indoors? Overcrowding rooms and a scratchy electricity supply is hardly a recipe for respite. Indeed, the advisories at times remind one of the debate over 'strict lockdowns' during Covid, a solution that works only if the ones able to follow it are privileged so that staying at home comfortably is a possibility and not a luxury. Because there are savings in the bank and a home that allows for space to sit, walk around, watch TV and browse the net. Ask government officials some questions along these lines and chances are the response will be about how Pakistan contributes little to emissions and yet suffers the harsh consequences of climate change. It has become our favourite argument since the 2022 floods; not because it is correct but because we see it as an opportunity for foreign inflows rather than really wanting to work on the environment. Consider yesterday's story in Dawn which reported on the budget cuts of the climate ministry. But more than all of these specialised details on plans and funding, which are beyond the brain of a lowly hack, the lack of the governments' seriousness on climate change is most evident in their development model, which is not even being debated. We continue to turn our cities into concrete jungles with impractically broad avenues which can be traversed only by car. Lahore's transformation along these lines has been more or less 50 years in the making and now Islamabad is well on its way. Achievement and governance continue to be measured in roads that are built quickly and are only meant for cars which ideally shouldn't cross the speed of 70 but frequently do. Others in the world may be discussing ways to pedestrianise city centres but we want to build Dubai-like cities in areas which were once known for their greenery. And where ordinary, underprivileged people have to walk in the blazing sun with little public transport and amid concrete that emits heat at 10 o'clock at night. If only the prime minister and his cabinet would walk down Constitution Avenue after sunset; they might experience for themselves the heat traps they are building for those who cannot afford to travel in air-conditioned cars or do not have the luxury of access to swimming pools. The relief to the real estate sector is also a recipe for disaster. No one is willing to consider what such policies will do to a country which does little to control its population and then also encourages the growth of horizontal housing. Or perhaps the plan is to squeeze the middle class and the underprivileged so much that they will not be able to spend much on housing. I descend into inane sarcasm but at times it's the only way to analyse policymaking in Pakistan, especially on issues that are not really on the priority list. For when the wars are over, the economy has been fixed, the governments are popular and real estate not essential, will we turn to the environment. Perhaps then the governments will figure out if they can do more than tell the people to stay indoors and drink lots of water. In the meantime, can someone convince security companies and food delivery apps to not dress their employees working daytime hours during the summers in clothes made of synthetic fabric? The writer is a journalist. The writer is a journalist. Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2025