Published on, Aug. 17 -- August 17, 2025 4:54 PM

Pakistan is facing a critical environmental crisis as its forest cover has decreased by 18% since 1992, threatening the country's climate, economy, and national security. Experts are now calling for urgent action to prevent further damage caused by deforestation, overgrazing, and climate-related disasters.

The largest share of this decline is in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where forest loss, rangeland destruction, and mismanagement are contributing to devastating floods and landslides. Experts say that forests help absorb rainfall, prevent erosion, and regulate water flow, but their rapid disappearance is weakening Pakistan's ability to withstand natural disasters.

From 3.78 million hectares in ...