Regardless of its many flaws, the Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC) deserves credit for a rare climate-conscious decision. Through its recent notification, SPSC postponed the CCE-2024 Screening Test—originally scheduled for 23 August—owing to reliable forecasts of consecutive rain spells. This decision not only protected thousands of candidates but also acknowledged a new reality: climate change is directly reshaping governance and public administration.
Alongside, K-Electric, the sole electricity supplier in Karachi, also released precautionary guidelines for citizens during the rains. While one institution safeguarded students, another sought to minimise urban risks such as electrocution and power outages. These examples show how different sectors can play a critical role in climate resilience when they act responsibly and in coordination.
Yet, Pakistan’s broader disaster management framework remains fragile. Communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the northern areas continue to face flash floods, cloudbursts, and torrential rains without proper early warning. If we truly wish to withstand the impacts of climate change, such timely alerts, preventive measures, and climate-adaptive governance must become the norm, not isolated exceptions.
SHAFAQ ALTAF KAZMI,
Karachi.