A meeting of the IUCN Pakistan National Committee Members was convened in Islamabad on July 24, 2015.
The NGO Members expressed their concern over the recent news item in the media on directives by the higher government authorities for expediting work on the Zulfikarabad city project. The members noted that Pakistan’s largest mangroves reserves along the Thatta coast were at risk due to the Zulfikarabad Project.The Members said that while development is important, protection of a delicate mangroves ecosystem environment is equally important, especially in the case of the largest mangroves forest of Pakistan. They observed that keeping in view the importance of the mangroves it is essential to have proper environmental impacts assessment of the project.
The NGO members also discussed and debated on the issue of nuclear plant which is in close proximity to the largest city of the country. Members were of the view that while the extreme energy need of the country is of prime importance, the safety of the people can also not be ignored. They also stressed on proper Environmental Impact Assessment.
Mr. Mahmood Akhtar Cheema briefed the PNC members on the Pakistan Sustainable Transport (PAKSTRAN) Project and copies of PAKSTRAN project documentary were also distributed among the participants.
The members also discussed about the opportunities for presenting the success stories from Pakistan on protected areas in the forthcoming IUCN World Parks Congress being held in Sydney, Australia from 12-19 November 2014.
The members also expressed their solidarity with the IDPs from North Waziristan Agency (NWA) and commended the relief work by the NGOs and the government agencies in the time of need.
Participants of the IUCN Members of the Pakistan National Committee meeting were: Mr. Malik Amin Aslam, Chairperson, (PNC), IUCN global Vice President and Regional Councillor, Asia; Mr. Javed Jabbar, Founding President, Baanhn Beli and former IUCN global Vice President and Regional Councillor; Syed Mahmood Nasir, Inspector General Forest, Climate Change Division; Mr. Suhail Awan, Human Resource Development Network; Mr. Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, Lead-Pakistan; Mr. Javed Ahmed Meher, Sindh Wildlife Department; Mr. Shah Mahmood Khan, Planning and Development, FATA; Mr. Naseer Memon, Strengthening Participatory Organization; Mr. Gulfam Dogar, SUNGI Development Foundation; Ms. Zeenia Shaukat, PILER; Mr. Umeed Khalid; Climate Change Division; Dr. Munawwar Saleem, National Institute of Oceanography; Mr. Aasim Raza, Institute of Rural Management; Muhammad Ajmal Khan Chairman; New World Hope Organization; Mr. Noman Amin; AKRSP; Mr. Ashfaq Soomoro, Research and Development Foundation; Ms. Zubeda Birwani, Trust for Coastal Resource; Mr. Roland deSouza, Shehri; Dr. Saifullah Khan, HEJ Research Institute, University of Karachi; Maryam Bibi, Khwendo Kor.
Mr. Mahmood Akhtar Cheema, Country Representative IUCN Pakistan; Ms. Fauzia Malik, Mr. Inamullah Khan, Mr. Saadullah Ayaz and Mr. George Sadiq , IUCN Pakistan represented the IUCN Secretariat.
For more information, please contact:
George Sadiq
Programme Officer
Education Communication and Outreach
Cell: 0301-2931184
E-mail: george.sadiq@iucn.org
