Large numbers of people have taken to the streets of Karachi to demand bolder action from the provincial and federal governments in the fight against climate change.
Women, youth, children and men participated in the march, which starts from Nehr-e-Khayyam and ends at Bilawal Chowk. The demonstration started at 2 p.m.
The march was organized by the Karachi Bachao Tehreek among several other civil society organizations. This year, the People’s March for the Climate is organized to demand justice – for this city, its environment and its people.
KARACHI !!! Show yourself tomorrow for your city, your future, your people!
2:00 p.m. – Naala on Boat Basin
WE’LL SEE EACH OTHER THERE #ClimateMarchKarachi pic.twitter.com/rDcX7TTf7b
– Karachi Bachao Tehreek (@StopEvictionKHI) December 11, 2021
According to a statement released by the organizers, Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, is facing a climate crisis that is now a reality for its precarious citizens.
“The city is vulnerable to all kinds of climate-related risks, from drought and flooding to extreme heat and rising sea levels. However, instead of developing policies that preserve and protect the rest ecology of the city and protect the rights of its vulnerable citizens, state institutions empower powerful real estate developers; the land, construction and water mafias; which blatantly deprive the citizens of Karachi of their right to a healthy life, â€he said.
The walkers have, among others, a few main demands:
- End the forced displacement of marginalized communities
- A popular resolution to the water crisis in Karachi
- Right to clean air
- Reforms in SEPA
This year’s Climate Walk is a little different. A number of performances have been scheduled at the event where artists such as Daniyal Ahmed and Baluch Twins will raise their voices against the looming climate crisis in Karachi through their art.