Pakistan’s leadership in rallying regional support for a fair and equitable global plastics treaty is a welcome display of climate diplomacy. At international forums, such stances matter, not only because they amplify the collective voice of countries bearing the brunt of environmental degradation, but because they expose the hypocrisy of a world where those least responsible for pollution often pay the steepest price. That Pakistan has chosen to stand firmly in this space strengthens the moral case for action, while aligning it with nations that share similar vulnerabilities.

The injustice is plain: Pakistan contributes marginally to global environmental issues yet faces disproportionate consequences. Calling for equal access to green technologies and fair financial support is not a plea; it is a demand rooted in climate justice. The world’s largest polluters have enjoyed decades of industrial growth with little regard for the environmental bill they were running up. Now that the debt is due, it is only fitting that those footing the cost have a say in the terms of payment.

But here lies the uncomfortable truth: advocacy alone is not a shield. While Pakistan should continue to challenge inequities on global platforms, it must also fortify itself at home. History is littered with examples of how long it takes for “the powers that be” to admit their mistakes, and longer still to correct them. In the meantime, indigenous mitigation strategies, sustainable waste management systems, and behavioural change campaigns must become national imperatives.

The fight for environmental justice is as much about securing external commitments as it is about building internal resilience. Waiting for the world to do the right thing is a strategy best avoided, especially when time, and the planet, are running out.