Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has emphasized that the conservation of wetlands is not merely an environmental obligation to counter climate change, but also a vital guarantee of social welfare at both individual and collective levels.In his message on World Wetlands Day, observed on February 2, 2026, the Prime Minister said the day provides Pakistan and the international community with an opportunity to renew their commitment to the sustainable conservation and management of wetlands.

He noted that Pakistan was a party to the 1971 Convention on Wetlands, which underscores the importance of the wise use of wetlands for humanity and the protection of their natural resources. The Prime Minister highlighted that reliable wetlands played a crucial role in helping countries confront serious environmental and economic challenges, as they provide protection against droughts, floods, and the impacts of extreme climate change.

He said Pakistan’s wetlands,including lakes and glaciers, inland wetlands, and coastal and mangrove ecosystems,were essential for biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and effective water management. He further stated that wetlands were a source of livelihood and an integral part of daily life for millions of Pakistanis. Their degradation, he warned, leads to loss of livelihoods, an increase in food prices at the national level, and greater vulnerability to floods and droughts. 

Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to international obligations, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the country firmly believed in the full and fair implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960. He added that any attempt to use water as a weapon of war was a grave violation of international law and was strongly rejected by Pakistan. Calling for collective action, the Prime Minister urged the nation to renew its pledge,both individually and collectively,to recognize wetlands as invaluable national, environmental, social, and cultural assets and to make concerted efforts for their protection.

 He also stated that at the global level, the Government of Pakistan would continue to raise its voice for the fair, lawful, and peaceful use of water resources among nations. This year, World Wetlands Day was being observed under the theme, “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Safeguarding Cultural Heritage,” which highlights the cultural context and significance of wetlands.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)