By, Masood Ahmad Siddiqui
The recent spell of extreme heat in Karachi has seemingly broken all previous records. Although the Pakistan Meteorological Department has now forecast rainfall and an improvement in weather conditions, with light drizzles already reported in some areas, the intensity of the heat may have eased slightly, yet the oppressive warmth is still very much felt.
For several consecutive days, the residents of Karachi endured severe heat, high humidity, and heatwave-like conditions. While the actual temperature hovered around 40°C, the high humidity pushed the “feels-like” temperature to between 49°C and 50°C, making life extremely difficult for the city’s inhabitants. Across Karachi, as well as various parts of Sindh and Balochistan, temperatures reached between 50°C and 51°C. The heatwave not only disrupted daily life but also posed serious challenges for children, women, the elderly, and laborers. Construction workers, rickshaw drivers, traffic police officers, and daily wage earners were among those most severely affected by the harsh weather.
During this period of extreme heat, various charitable organizations and philanthropists stepped forward to assist those in need. Cold drinking water was distributed to pedestrians and laborers across different parts of the city, while in some areas, roads were sprinkled with water in an effort to reduce the intensity of the heat. Such acts of compassion and social responsibility offer a ray of hope during difficult times.
In this context, the role of the United Arab Emirates Consul General in Karachi, Dr. Bakheet Ateeq Al-Remeithi, deserves special recognition. During the heatwave, he emphasized the urgent need to adopt precautionary measures to protect workers and laborers. According to him, safeguarding workers during extreme weather conditions is not merely a legal obligation but also a humanitarian and moral responsibility. This perspective reflects the United Arab Emirates’ longstanding commitment to humanitarian values, public welfare, and respect for human dignity.
Dr. Al-Remeithi urged institutions and employers to place the health and safety of their employees at the forefront during heatwaves by ensuring adequate rest breaks, access to drinking water, and necessary protective facilities. His message was widely appreciated not only by business organizations but also by charitable institutions and civil society groups. At a time when extreme heat poses a serious threat to public health, it is indeed commendable to see a diplomat from a friendly nation expressing genuine concern for the welfare of the people.
However, an important question remains: Why is Karachi becoming hotter with each passing year?
Former Administrator Karachi, Faheem Al-Zaman, offers an important perspective on this issue. According to him, Karachi is rapidly transforming into a “concrete jungle.” Unplanned urban expansion, illegal construction, the continuous loss of green spaces, environmental pollution, and widespread encroachments have severely damaged the city’s natural environment.
He explains that Karachi is increasingly experiencing the Urban Heat Island effect. Concrete buildings, roads, and asphalt absorb heat throughout the day and gradually release it at night, causing temperatures to feel significantly higher than the actual readings. As a result, an actual temperature of 37°C to 40°C often feels like 45°C to 48°C.
Faheem Al-Zaman further points out that over the past twenty-five years, Karachi’s population has grown dramatically, while the number of trees, parks, and open green spaces has steadily declined. There was a time when neem, jamun, banyan, guava, and gulmohar trees were a common sight throughout the city. Today, however, these have largely been replaced by concrete and cement structures.
Meanwhile, renowned economic analyst Captain Abdul Rashid Abro observes that the decline in tree cover not only contributes to rising temperatures but also exacerbates air pollution and other environmental problems.
Unfortunately, Karachi’s master plan has been neglected for decades. The absence of effective urban planning, unchecked illegal construction, and the disappearance of green areas have made the city increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. If this trend continues, future heatwaves are likely to become even more severe and dangerous.
On the other hand, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates have always enjoyed close and brotherly relations. Although diplomatic and economic ties have occasionally faced challenges, both countries have consistently supported one another during difficult times. The recent initiatives undertaken by Dr. Bakheet Ateeq Al-Remeithi demonstrate that people-to-people engagement and humanitarian values can further strengthen the relationship between the two nations.
Karachi’s recent heatwave has once again highlighted that climate change, urban planning, and environmental conservation are no longer merely topics of discussion—they have become matters of survival. It is imperative that the government, municipal authorities, the private sector, and citizens work together to promote large-scale tree plantation campaigns, develop green belts, adopt environmentally sustainable urban planning, and improve water management systems.
Similarly, humanitarian initiatives undertaken by representatives of friendly countries, such as Dr. Bakheet Ateeq Al-Remeithi, deserve recognition and appreciation. Such efforts are not only a service to humanity but also serve to further strengthen the enduring friendship and partnership between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.
Karachi’s Scorching Heat, Mounting Challenges, and the Commendable Role of Dr. Bakheet Ateeq Al-Remeithi
