With a variety of natural domains in the forms of forest biomes, desert biomes, etc. and natural resources, Pakistan’s natural terrain contributes significantly to its economy which is often hampered due to climate change. Another prominent-yet seldom discussed impact of Climate change on Pakistan has been the creation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Usually, refugees are primarily created due to wars, conflicts and socio-economic instabilities as seen in Afghanistan’s case, which resulted in the creation of Afghan refugees moving towards KPK and Baluchistan regions of Pakistan. Most research-related literature mainly focuses on the conflict and war-related factors of displacement and there is a significant lack of literature on how climate change contributes to the creation of forced displacement, migration and IDPs.
Hence, in Pakistan’s case, the Pakistani population has been subject to climate displacement, especially in regions of KPK, rural Punjab, Sindh and Baluchistan. Pakistan is among the top 10 most vulnerable countries to climate change. As seen in the 2010 floods as well as the flash floods of 2022 which caused an economic loss of $30 billion and displaced 8 million people. Furthermore, there is another factor which has worsened the overall situation in Pakistan. “In addition to worsening the widespread poverty in Pakistan and destroying livelihoods, such climate change impacts are exacerbating the existing refugee crisis in the region, with Pakistan hosting over 3.7 million refugees from conflict affected Afghanistan.” (Climate Crisis, Displacement, and the Right to Stay, n.d.). Therefore, the 2022 floods further exacerbated the problems faced by Afghan refugees residing within Pakistan. The floods resulted in the destruction of hundreds of houses and other critical infrastructure consequently displacing millions of people throughout the country. For instance, 10 million were displaced in Sindh only. As a result, the situation became particularly graver for women and children who were more vulnerable to water-born diseases and lacked sanitary conditions for personal hygiene.
Similarly, in August 2025, Pakistan faced a series of floods again in KPK and Punjab region. This time the floods were accompanied by deleterious cloud bursts with 300 people dead in KPK alone. (Displacement by floods in Pakistan: How open data helps to better understand disasters, 2025). The 2025 floods alone displaced around 1.8 million people across the country. The widespread destruction made the residents leave their demolished homes and opt for temporary camps resulting in more unsafe conditions for the displaced people. Further, not only floods but other factors also contribute to the severe climate change displacement and creation of climate refugees. These are glacier meltdowns, droughts and sea-level rise, etc.
In terms of sea level rise, which is gradually rising on alarming levels due to glacial meltdowns, it can displace citizens living in coastal regions and cities. For example, in Pakistan’s case, Karachi and the overall coastal belt of Pakistan can be particularly impacted resulting in the displacement of people residing in those areas. “Affected communities are concerned not only about housing, water, sanitation and healthcare, but also about the risk of repeated displacement due to natural hazards. Loss of ancestral land leads to financial insecurity, and resettled families often feel marginalized and excluded from decision-making.” . Hence, the main fear of climate displacement is not just limited to the availability of necessities but the actual loss of their homeland, businesses, farmlands, sources of livelihoods and loss of loved ones in the course of climate disasters. Furthermore, the climate refugees and IDPs fear continued displacement due to rising floods and climate variations in environmentally sensitive regions.
For better climate change adaptation and post-disaster management, climate-effective mechanisms can prove to be sustainable to resolve the issues of hazardous climate effects. One such credible effort for the IDPs in Gilgit Baltistan (GB) for adaptation and facilitation is a solar water pump installed in Darkut Valley, GB, in July 2025 by WWF Pakistan, where solar energy is utilized to obtain clean and hygienic water for refugees. Such initiatives can also be introduced in other regions where climate-based IDPs reside such as Baluchistan or KPK. In addition to this, more research is required on the issues faced by climate refugees and what sustainable solutions can be achieved to counter climate threats. Similarly, climate education including climate hazards and SOPs must be promoted within Pakistan, in both rural and urban areas. Lastly, existing UN agencies, federal and provincial governments and disaster management authorities must incorporate the element of climate displacement into their mandate. If the IDPs factor is also worked upon collectively by the government and various NGOs, the various inter-linked issues of the forcibly displaced can be resolved.
Back to climate change, in terms of disaster management and response, Pakistan only takes actions as to disaster response-once the disaster has already occurred. What is needed in addition to this, to counter the issue of climate migrants is disaster preparedness and post-disaster recovery. Firstly, for the protection of displaced people, early warning systems must be utilized to warn and evacuate vulnerable communities in times of disasters. “Currently, these systems operate in only 24 of the most climate-vulnerable valleys in Northern Pakistan.” Hence, more warning systems are needed not just for flood-prone areas but also for coastal regions vulnerable to sea-level rise. Early warning systems work under effective climate vulnerability mapping. “Climate vulnerability mapping can help identify high-risk areas, enabling more targeted and effective interventions.” Through this technique, the associated authorities can identify the most climate vulnerable regions and populations and can monitor them efficiently. As for post-disaster recovery, immediate relief including shelter, medical treatment, food and hygienic water must be provided to the affected people. Lastly, Climate education must be provided at schools, colleges and universities across Pakistan to raise awareness about climate sensitivity and Standard operating Procedures (SOPs). To sum up, climate change is an irreversible dilemma which results in climate displacement and exacerbates the existing issues faced by displaced communities, but proper policymaking and implementation can prevent the displacement of people due to climatic reasons and provide future generations with safer environments.
