KARACHI: To mark World Environment Day, the Aga Khan University (AKU) organized a public screening of the documentary “The Sky is Far, The Earth is Tough” at Habitt City, highlighting the devastating impact of climate change and natural disasters on mountain communities in northern Pakistan.
The documentary, directed by Haya Fatima Iqbal, is part of the Voices from the Roof of the World (VRW) documentary series and explores how climate-related disasters are affecting both the physical health and mental well-being of vulnerable communities living in Pakistan’s mountainous regions.
The screening brought together filmmakers, climate advocates, students, researchers and social activists to discuss the growing environmental challenges facing climate-vulnerable populations. Participants noted that mountain regions in northern Pakistan are warming at a significantly faster rate than the global average, accelerating glacial melt, increasing the risk of flash floods and landslides, and causing widespread displacement and economic hardship.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Rozina Karmaliani, Associate Director for South and Central Asia at AKU’s Brain and Mind Institute, said the climate crisis in northern regions is no longer a distant threat but an ongoing humanitarian challenge that requires urgent attention. She emphasized the need to integrate mental health support into climate disaster response strategies and highlighted the role of visual storytelling in bringing the realities of affected communities to a wider audience.
Dr. Fozia Parveen, Assistant Professor at AKU’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences, stressed the importance of incorporating climate change awareness and environmental sustainability into educational frameworks to build long-term community resilience and empower future generations to address environmental challenges.
Director Haya Fatima Iqbal said that the loss of ancestral lands and the constant threat of natural disasters have left deep psychological scars on affected communities. She emphasized that environmental advocacy must move beyond statistics and focus on the human cost of climate change.
Sustainability and climate change specialist Tariq Essa also addressed the audience, highlighting the role businesses and individuals can play in reducing carbon emissions and mitigating environmental impacts.
The screening was sponsored by Primero. The award-winning VRW documentary series amplifies the voices of climate-vulnerable communities across Central and South Asia facing floods, droughts and biodiversity loss. The initiative is a collaboration between Aga Khan University, the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, the Aga Khan Foundation and the University of Central Asia, with support from international philanthropic partners dedicated to environmental awareness and climate storytelling.
