Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stressed the need of taking practical steps to protect glaciers, as their destruction will also threaten the lives associated with them. 

In his message on World Day for Glaciers today, he said glaciers are a guarantee of life on the Earth, maintaining the ecosystem naturally and ensuring the supply of essential natural resources, especially clean water.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan has over thirteen thousand glaciers which is the highest number of glaciers found anywhere after the polar regions of the Earth.

He said due to changing weather patterns, and rising average temperatures caused by climate change, more than ten thousand glaciers are rapidly melting. As a result, floods and droughts are posing risks to rivers, agriculture, and the livelihoods of people connected to them.

He said as one of the most affected countries by climate change, Pakistan needs more cooperation for glacier monitoring programs, early warning systems, adopting climate-resilient agricultural practices, and investing in alternative water storage solutions.

The Prime Minister said we also need to promote internationally shared ecotourism guidelines that prevent toxins and pollution from destroying these valuable assets.