Pakistan’s mangrove carbon credit sales hit $40mn, boosts target to $12bn by 2075

Woman gardener plants mangroves in Village Haji Doongar Jatt in Sujawal District on August 14, 2023 to mark the start of the Delta Blue Carbon (DBC) - 2 project, which aims to plant and restore mangroves. (AN Photo/ Zulfiqar Kunbhar)
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Updated 18 August 2023
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Pakistan’s mangrove carbon credit sales hit $40mn, boosts target to $12bn by 2075

  • Sindh launches Delta Blue Carbon (DBC) — 2 mangrove plantation, restoration project in coastal districts of Badin, Sujawal
  • Combined foreign direct investment in mangrove plantation project expected to reach $100 million, as per official data

SUJAWAL, SINDH: Cash-starved Pakistan raised its carbon trading sales target this month to $12 billion by launching a new mangrove plantation project at the Indus Delta in the country’s southern Sindh province that has till date sold $40 million worth of carbon credits, officials confirmed.

Known as the vertebra of Pakistan’s ecology and economy, the Indus Delta is the fifth largest in the world and home to the seventh biggest mangrove forest. According to the Sindh Forest Department (SFD), Indus Delta mangroves are unique as they are the largest arid climate mangroves in the world.

With the help of foreign private funding, on August 14, 2023, the SFD launched the new Delta Blue Carbon (DBC) — 2 mangrove plantation and restoration project in the coastal districts of Badin and Sujawal in Sindh. The DBC-2 is a continuation of the 60-year-long Delta Blue Carbon (DBC) — 1 mangrove restoration and plantation project that began in the Indus Delta in 2015 and is still carrying on.

“The current size of the Indus Delta is 670,000 hectares while the Sindh Forest Department aims to complete mangrove restoration and plantation in the Indus Delta on 450,000 hectares by 2030 though DBC-1 and DBC-2 projects,” Riaz Ahmed Wagan, chief conservator of forests in the Sindh Forest Department, told Arab News.




Women gardeners gesture for a group photo at an event to mark the start of the Delta Blue Carbon (DBC) - 2 project, aims to plant and restore mangroves, in Village Haji Doongar Jatt in Sujawal District on August 14, 2023. (AN Photo/ Zulfiqar Kunbhar)

“The ongoing DBC-1 project focuses on 250,000 hectares, while the new DBC-2 project plans to add 200,000 hectares in mangrove growth,” he added.

The forest department official said Sindh’s Indus Delta mangrove plantation is currently Pakistan’s only carbon credits seller project. These projects are designed to reduce or remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and the resulting credits can be bought and sold on the carbon market.

Wagan said Sindh estimated to generate $7 billion in certified emission reductions (CERs) by completing the DBC-1 project by 2075. With the introduction of the DBC-2 initiative, the province aims to add an additional $5 billion by the same year, he added.

“As a result, through the combined projects Sindh is projected now to yield earnings of $12 billion by the year 2075 through carbon credit afforestation sales,” Wagan said.




This photo shows a mangrove nursery at the launch of Delta Blue Carbon (DBC) - 2 project, aiming to plant and restore mangroves, in Village Haji Doongar Jatt in Sujawal District on August 14, 2023. (AN Photo/ Zulfiqar Kunbhar)

According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination document much of the original area where mangroves were planted has been degraded in the Indus Delta, primarily due to freshwater diversion, over-exploitation (wood, fodder, and grazing), and land-based pollution.

The Kyoto Protocol, an international treaty of which Pakistan is also a signatory, was established in 1997 and enforced in 2005. The treaty aimed to combat climate change and set mandatory emission reduction goals for developed nations.

According to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) lets countries that promised to lower their emissions as part of the Kyoto Protocol, work on projects that reduce pollution in poorer countries. These projects can earn them credits called certified emission reductions (CERs), which help them meet their Kyoto goals.

Pakistan is currently among the top ten countries most impacted by climate change in the world. Officials say as a signatory of the Kyoto Protocol, Pakistan is also making efforts to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change. The Indus Delta mangrove plantation is a part of these efforts.




Male gardeners gesture for a group photo at an event to mark the start of the Delta Blue Carbon (DBC) - 2 project, aims to plant and restore mangroves, in Village Haji Doongar Jatt in Sujawal District on August 14, 2023. (AN Photo/ Zulfiqar Kunbhar)

 As per official figures, Pakistan’s emissions in 2018 totaled 489.87 metric tons of CO2 equivalent (MtCO2e), accounting for around 0.50 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions. This suggests that the DBC-1 and DBC-2 emissions credits projects will approximately be equal to half of the country’s emissions.

“The combined carbon offsetting of Pakistan through the DBC-1 and DBC-2 projects is anticipated to reach 240 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e),” Wagan noted.

“Within this, DBC-1 is projected to capture 140 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) through carbon credits, while DBC-2 is expected to reduce approximately 100 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) through carbon credits.”

As per official figures, Sindh has sold 3.1 million carbon credits as of now, worth $40 million. By 2075, Sindh is expected to create 140 million carbon credits in the Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM) — a global system to trade carbon offsets.




A woman gardener poses for a photo while planting mangroves in Village Haji Doongar Jatt in Sujawal District on August 14, 2023 to mark the start of the Delta Blue Carbon (DBC) - 2 project, which aims to plant and restore mangroves. (AN Photo/ Zulfiqar Kunbhar)

To date, Sindh has sold a total of $40 million worth of carbon credits in the carbon credit market through DBC-1. The value per carbon credit sold by Sindh has ranged from $12 to $50, reflecting variations in the market, Wagan said.

According to official statistics, combined foreign direct investment in DBC-1 and DBC-2 is projected to reach around $100 million, with an estimated investment of $60 million in DBC-1 and an anticipated investment of $40 million in DBC-2.

According to Waqar Hussain, a senior official at Environment, Climate Change & Coastal Development Department Sindh, the increasing mangrove cover in the Indus Delta would have a positive impact on the economy.

“Mangroves have the ability to absorb four times more carbon dioxide than other trees,” he said. “They act as protective barriers against cyclones and create habitats for aquatic life, benefiting fishing,” Hussain added.




A male gardener poses for a photo while planting mangroves in Village Haji Doongar Jatt in Sujawal District on August 14, 2023, to mark the start of the Delta Blue Carbon (DBC) - 2 project, which aims to plant and restore mangroves. (AN Photo/ Zulfiqar Kunbhar)

 


Pakistan ruling coalition ally criticizes cyber law amendments, warns of threat to free speech

Updated 01 March 2025
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Pakistan ruling coalition ally criticizes cyber law amendments, warns of threat to free speech

  • Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act is widely criticized as a tool to stifle dissent
  • PPP’s Raza Rabbani calls the PECA amendment bill ‘black law,’ says it can weaken the state

KARACHI: A senior Pakistani politician from a party supporting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s ruling coalition on Saturday condemned the recent amendments to the country’s cyber laws, warning they would jeopardize freedom of speech and weaken the state.
Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) was originally enacted in 2016, but an amendment bill passed in January 2025 expanded its scope by broadening the definition of “fake news” and criminalizing defamation against government officials.
The law also established a new social media regulatory authority to oversee digital content and a cybercrime agency with the power to prosecute violations.
Speaking at a convention related to the issue, Raza Rabbani of the Pakistan Peoples Party denounced the PECA amendments as a “black law,” asserting they would further restrict an already regulated digital space, especially for journalists.
“Trying to stop or restrict freedom of the press actually weakens the state. Freedom of expression is a fundamental right,” Rabbani said, highlighting the law’s “vague provisions on fake news” and other reforms that he warned could be easily manipulated.
He criticized the government for failing to consult stakeholders before enacting the amendments and urged an immediate suspension of the law’s implementation. Rabbani called for dialogue with journalists, civil society and other relevant groups to revise the legislation.
Barrister Salahuddin Ahmed, a legal expert, told the gathering the amendments undermined democratic principles by granting the government disproportionate power.
He also warned against the new authority mandated to take swift action against social media platforms during his speech.
“This authority is empowered to block platforms and remove content within 24 hours of a complaint being filed,” Ahmed said. “This gives an alarming level of unchecked power to a single body, which could easily be misused to stifle dissent.”
Sohail Afzal Khan, secretary of the Karachi Press Club, where the convention was held, echoed these concerns, arguing PECA was designed to suppress journalists rather than combat disinformation.
“If the government had been sincere in combating fake news, it would have enacted legislation in consultation with journalist leadership and other stakeholders. Instead, it seeks to suppress the voice of journalists,” Khan said.
The event was attended by representatives from major political parties, lawyers, rights activists and media workers, culminating in a resolution rejecting PECA 2025.
The resolution called for the removal of restrictions on free speech and an end to legal actions against journalists under the pretext of combating misinformation.
“The meeting resolves to continue its struggle against PECA and similar laws, within democratic frameworks, by collaborating with civil society and democratic forces,” it said.


PM Sharif highlights Palestinian and Kashmiri struggles as Ramadan begins in Pakistan

Updated 01 March 2025
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PM Sharif highlights Palestinian and Kashmiri struggles as Ramadan begins in Pakistan

  • The prime minister says it is time to strengthen Muslim unity and promote cooperation
  • He urges people to support financially disadvantaged segments during the holy month

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday recalled the struggles of the Palestinian and Kashmiri people while urging greater unity among Muslim states, as Pakistan prepares to begin the holy month of Ramadan from tomorrow.
Pakistan’s central moon sighting committee announced a day earlier that the Ramadan crescent was not sighted anywhere in the country, confirming that the first day of fasting would fall on Sunday.
Observed by Muslims worldwide, the month is marked by fasting from dawn to sunset, which many consider a time for spiritual reflection, self-discipline and devotion.
Fasting is also seen as a way to strengthen faith and develop empathy for the less fortunate.
“We are grateful to Allah for once again blessing us with the holy month of Ramadan, a time of mercy, blessings, and forgiveness,” the prime minister was quoted as saying by his office in a statement.

Muslims offer the first Tarawih prayers to mark the start of the Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan at the Memon Mosque in Karachi on March 1, 2025. (AFP)

“We must remember our Palestinian and Kashmiri brothers and sisters who continue to suffer oppression and raise our voices against this injustice,” he continued. “This is the time to strengthen Muslim unity and promote cooperation and brotherhood.”
Sharif also called on Pakistanis to support financially disadvantaged segments of society during the month, which places a strong emphasis on charity and social welfare.

People arrive to offer the first Tarawih prayers to mark the start of the Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan at the Memon Mosque in Karachi on March 1, 2025. (AFP)

Ramadan holds special significance for Muslims, as it was during one of its nights that the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The month is observed with increased prayer, charitable giving and community gatherings, culminating in the festival of Eid Al-Fitr.


Pakistan’s army chief inaugurates combat simulation center in Bahawalpur sector

Updated 01 March 2025
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Pakistan’s army chief inaugurates combat simulation center in Bahawalpur sector

  • General Munir interacts with officers and troops, commends their dedication and morale
  • The army chief also launches two other facilities focusing on IT and medical education

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir on Saturday inaugurated a combat simulation center and two other facilities focused on information technology and medical education during a visit to Bahawalpur, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement.
The strategically important garrison town in southern Punjab plays a crucial role in Pakistan’s military readiness, particularly in the context of its nuclear-armed neighbor, India.
The area is home to the Bahawalpur Corps, a key formation responsible for border defense and rapid deployment, given its proximity to India’s Rajasthan state, which hosts major Indian military bases. Bahawalpur also serves as a logistics and training hub, with large-scale military drills focusing on different warfare scenarios.
ISPR said the army chief received a briefing on the operational preparedness and training aspects of the Bahawalpur Corps during the visit.
“COAS inaugurated the CMH Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS), Innovista Cholistan and Integrated Combat Simulator Arena, pioneering initiatives aimed at advancing medical education, information technology and combat readiness,” it added
During his visit to CIMS, General Munir engaged with students from various universities, emphasizing the army’s role in nurturing young talent. He urged students to pursue academic excellence and develop the skills necessary for national development, reaffirming the army’s commitment to empowering youth
Earlier, the army chief was received by the Commander of Bahawalpur Corps and addressed officers and troops, commending their dedication and high morale.
He stressed that rigorous training remains the cornerstone of a soldier’s professional development, adding that it is essential for meeting the challenges of modern warfare.


Pakistan’s internet industry body seeks reforms amid digital connectivity crisis

Updated 01 March 2025
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Pakistan’s internet industry body seeks reforms amid digital connectivity crisis

  • Internet service providers’ association says only two operators are controlling Pakistan’s digital connectivity
  • It seeks a second internet gateway in Gwadar, asks regulators to negotiate bandwidth in local currency

KARACHI: Pakistan’s ongoing internet crisis, marked by soaring costs and sluggish speeds, stems from structural issues in which two operators control the gateway to global connectivity, the country’s internet service providers’ association said this week.

Pakistan is heavily reliant on digital connectivity for economic growth. However, the Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan (WISPAP) said in a statement users were getting an average speed of just 20-30 megabits per second (Mbps), which was significantly lower than that of countries like Bangladesh in the region where speeds reach 50 Mbps, despite Pakistanis paying nearly twice as much for the service.

WISPAP warned against the “near-duopoly” of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) and Transworld Associates (TWA), saying it had led to monopolistic pricing, restricting competition and keeping internet services expensive and inefficient.

Its assertion comes as Africa-1, a new undersea cable system, recently landed in Pakistan, promising additional bandwidth, though the association said it would only benefit the two existing gatekeepers of global connectivity.

“Ban gatekeepers from overcharging or locking out rivals,” the statement prepared on Tuesday quoted Shahzad Arshad, WISPAP chairman, as saying. “Fair rules mean fair rates.”

Pakistan’s internet infrastructure is centered around Karachi, where PTCL and TWA manage the country’s seven undersea fiber-optic cable connections and two smaller overland links.

Arshad noted the lack of competition allows these operators to set high prices for bandwidth, which internet service providers (ISPs) must purchase before distributing internet services to consumers.

WISPAP also proposed policy recommendations, including creating a second internet gateway in Gwadar, saying it would reduce broadband costs by 30 percent in five years.

“Invite new operators, local or foreign, with tax breaks,” its chairman suggested. “PTCL and TWA will have to fight for customers, not just cash them out.”

Additionally, the group urged regulators to follow Malaysia’s model of negotiating bandwidth in local currency, shielding ISPs from volatile exchange rates.

“Cut the dollar leash, and ISPs save 20% overnight,” Arshad said. “That’s cheaper Wi-Fi for every household.”

Pakistan’s internet crisis has far-reaching consequences for businesses, impacting sectors such as e-commerce, fintech and freelancing. The country’s freelance industry, which generated $1.2 billion in 2024, is particularly vulnerable to unreliable connectivity.

WISPAP estimates that affordable, high-speed internet could double freelancing revenue to $2.5 billion by 2030, while also bringing 10 million more Pakistanis online.


Pakistan Navy ship participates in UAE defense exhibition to bolster maritime ties

Updated 01 March 2025
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Pakistan Navy ship participates in UAE defense exhibition to bolster maritime ties

  • The UAE event features naval vessels from eight nations and participation from 65 countries
  • PNS Yarmouk has carried out joint exercises with the UAE Navy’s ship Al Emarat, ISPR says

KARACHI: A Pakistan Navy ship is participating in an international defense exhibition in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of efforts to strengthen maritime relations with the Gulf nation, the military’s media wing said on Saturday.
The Pakistan Navy ship Yarmouk arrived in the UAE for the International Defense Exhibition (IDEX) and the Naval Defense Exhibition (NAVDEX 25), the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
Several high-profile officials, including the UAE’s minister for tolerance and the defense ministers of Romania and Yemen, visited the vessel.
“Participation in the defense exhibition reflects Pakistan’s strong defense ties with the UAE and its active role in global maritime security initiatives,” the ISPR said.

This handout photo shows UAE Tolerance and Coexistance Minister Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan onboard Pakistan Navy Ship Yarmook during International Defense Exhibition (IDEX) & Naval Defense Exhibition (NAVDEX) in Abu Dhabi, UAE. (Photo courtesy: Handout/Pakistan Navy)

Pakistan has intensified its naval diplomacy in the region and beyond in recent years, particularly with Gulf nations, as part of efforts to enhance maritime security and defense collaboration.
The growing engagement aligns with Islamabad’s broader strategy of maintaining stability in regional waters and securing trade routes amid evolving geopolitical dynamics.
The UAE event, which features naval vessels from eight nations and participation from 65 countries, comes weeks after Pakistan hosted the AMAN-25 multinational exercise, where 60 countries took part in maritime drills aimed at enhancing interoperability and regional security.

In this handout photo, released on February 28, 2025, Pakistan Navy official briefs visitors onboard Pakistan Navy Ship Yarmook during International Defense Exhibition (IDEX) & Naval Defense Exhibition (NAVDEX) in Abu Dhabi, UAE. (Photo courtesy: Handout/Pakistan Navy)

Following AMAN-25, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia conducted the Affaa Al Sahil bilateral naval exercise, which concluded in Karachi last month with a demonstration of firepower and combat tactics.
During its visit to the UAE, PNS Yarmouk also carried out joint exercises with the UAE Navy’s ship Al Emarat.