Pakistan joins Asia-wide protests against fossil fuels, demands climate action

Pakistan will join a wave of protests across Asia on September 13, calling for an end to fossil fuels and a rapid transition to renewable energy. These demonstrations will urge world leaders to take immediate action on climate change ahead of the United Nations Summit of the Future and COP29.

Pakistan Maholiati Tahaffuz Movement, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum will organize a protest at the Karachi Press Club, highlighting the impact of fossil fuels on coastal communities and the environment.

The Policy Research Institute for Equitable Development (PRIED) and partners, including Indus Consortium, Alliance for Climate Justice and Clean Energy, and Alternative Law Collective (ALC), will protest at an ADB-funded coal site in Jamshoro, Sindh, demanding an end to coal expansion and a shift to sustainable energy sources.

In Faisalabad, the Pakistan Labour Qaumi Movement, the Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee, and the Labour Education Foundation will organize a protest at Aman Ghar, a labour training centre.

These actions will show how important it is for Pakistan to stop coal expansion and rapidly phase out existing coal. They will also highlight the Global North’s continued support of coal projects in Asia despite its promise to move away from fossil fuels.