STAFF REPORT IBD: Availability of adequate funds and increased investment is critical for achieving all Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Pakistan before 2015 deadline.
A high-level meeting of the National Assemblys special committee on MDGs pressed on need for promotion of watershed management, rainwater harvesting, building up more water reservoirs to meet mounting needs of water of all sectors, particularly agriculture and industry.
During his presentation on Progress on MDGS in Pakistan, Director-General (Environment), Ministry of Climate Change, Jawaid Ali Khan, said that out of eight MDGs, Pakistan has succeeded in achieving four important MDGs, namely: Protected Areas, Use of Energy Per Unit of GDP, Number of Vechicles on CNG and Sulphur content in Fuel. He said that Pakistan is on track in all four remaining MDGs.
“The countrys forest cover enhanced from 4.8 percent to 5.01 percent by 2003-04. Whereas latest assessment of forest cover is under process at the Pakistan Forest Institute in Peshawar. However, the PSDP funds paucity has hampered the mega projects after the devolution of the ministry. It appears that target fixed for this MDG is less likely to be achieved,” Jawad said.
During the meeting, Shahnaz Wazir Ali, Advisor to PM, asked the Climate Change Ministry to play its facilitating role in bridging this coordination gap, with major focus on plugging policy and planning level gaps that relates to environment and climate change.