BAKU (Dunya News) - Musadik Malik has said that climate change, housing injustice, and poverty are deeply interconnected challenges, stressing the need for inclusive and fair urban planning.
Speaking at the World Urban Forum in Baku, the federal minister said the issue was not just a housing crisis but a broader crisis of justice.
He emphasized that equity and inclusion must be placed at the center of urban development policies. Highlighting Pakistan’s demographics, Malik noted that nearly 50 per cent of the population lives in urban areas, with around 55 per cent of urban residents residing in informal settlements.
The minister warned that climate change disproportionately impacts vulnerable communities, linking environmental risks with economic hardship and housing inequality.
Referring to recent climate events, he said floods can wipe out generations of hard work within days, while extreme heat continues to pose serious risks.
Citing an example, Malik pointed out that temperatures in Karachi reached 47°C during the 2024 heatwave, resulting in approximately 560 deaths within a week.
He added that the poorest segments of society suffer the most from climate-related disasters such as floods and heatwaves.
The statement underscores the growing global recognition that climate change is not only an environmental issue but also a socio-economic and justice-related challenge.