ISLAMABAD: Senator Sherry Rehman has expressed concern over the continued delay in rebuilding schools damaged by the devastating 2022 floods, revealing that around 14,000 affected schools have yet to be reconstructed.

The issue was raised during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change, chaired by Sherry Rehman, where officials also discussed the performance of the Pakistan Climate Change Authority, plastic waste management, recycling and environmental protection.

Federal Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik informed the committee that the Pakistan Climate Change Authority was not yet fully operational. He said proposed amendments would make the authority a think tank for the Ministry of Climate Change, with the authority reporting to the ministry at different levels.

The authority's chairman briefed the committee on ongoing projects and performance, stating that various groups had been formed to improve coordination with provincial governments and obtain feedback.

However, Sherry Rehman expressed dissatisfaction with the briefing, saying she could not understand the presentation. She urged officials to come prepared for committee meetings and questioned the authority's performance.

The ministry's secretary responded that the authority's chairman had been appointed recently and should be given some time to improve its performance.

The committee also discussed the use of plastic bags and PET bottles, recycling challenges and alternative packaging solutions. Sherry Rehman said Pakistan accounted for only one per cent of global recycling and questioned the effectiveness of the country's plastic waste management system.

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said the government had previously enforced restrictions on plastic bags under the law. He stressed that the objective was not to harm businesses but to ensure compliance while providing practical alternatives.

Musadik Malik highlighted the need to identify suitable alternatives to plastic products, determine how quickly they could become available in the market and develop a practical policy for reducing plastic consumption.

Sherry Rehman emphasised the importance of involving all relevant stakeholders in developing workable solutions for environmental protection and improved recycling.