KARACHI: The Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum on Friday staged a protest outside the Karachi Press Club as part of the Global Week of Action for a Fossil-Free Future, calling for an end to new fossil-fuel projects and a swift transition to clean, renewable and people-centred energy systems.
Fisherfolk, human rights activists, representatives of civil society organisations and citizens participated in the demonstration, chanting slogans in support of climate justice, clean energy and a just energy transition.
The protesters also voiced a strong rejection of what they described as “dirty energy projects” that threaten the environment and the livelihoods of vulnerable communities.
Addressing the demonstration, PFF General Secretary Saeed Baloch said thousands of people throughout Asia were taking part in protest activities on Friday as part of the Global Week of Action. The activities, organised through member organisations of the Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD), are being held in several countries, including Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Thailand and the Philippines.
Baloch said the global fuel crisis triggered by the continuing conflict involving Iran had once again exposed the risks associated with dependence on imported oil, gas and coal.
“Dependence on fossil fuels is unsafe, expensive and unstable,” he said, calling on Asian countries to accelerate the shift from fossil-fuel-based energy systems to renewable, clean and democratic alternatives.
He said global peace, economic stability and environmental justice could not be achieved without a fair and equitable energy transition that also protected the rights and livelihoods of communities dependent on natural resources.
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (Sindh) Vice Chairperson Qazi Khizar expressed solidarity with people affected by the recent devastating floods in Nepal. He noted that the consequences of the climate crisis were becoming increasingly severe.
He urged governments to accelerate a just transition away from fossil fuels and substantially increase investment in renewable energy.
He also called on developed countries to provide developing nations with debt-free climate finance in line with their international responsibilities.
PFF leaders Talib Kachhi and Majeed Motani said Asia was among the regions most vulnerable to climate change, yet investments in coal, oil, and gas projects continued.
They warned that continued expansion of fossil-fuel infrastructure would intensify environmental risks and place a disproportionate burden on vulnerable and marginalised communities, including fisher-folk, farmers and workers.
The speakers also referred to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion on climate change. They called on governments to take immediate measures to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, prevent environmental degradation and protect communities affected by climate change.
They demanded a halt to new fossil-fuel projects, greater investment in renewable energy and a genuinely just energy transition that safeguards the livelihoods, rights and economic security of fisher-folk, farmers, workers and other affected communities.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
Comments