This was stated by the speakers at an inaugural session of two-day International Conference titled 'Global Environment Changes' at Government College University Faisalabad (GCUF) here on Tuesday.

The session was presided over by GCUF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zakir Hussain while PCSIR Islamabad Chairman Dr Shaukat Parvez was chief guest.

Dr Zakir Hussain said that ozone layer is deteriorating owing to enhanced emission of smoke from factories and human activities which are responsible for climate changes including massive floods and droughts.

He said that clean water situation is worsening.

In the list of potable water accessibility index, Pakistan is placed at one of the bottom countries with 80 numbers out of 120 nations, he added.

Talking about waste management, he also called for strengthening the mechanism to deal with the city waste with the collaboration of scientists, industrials and the government.

Dr Shaukat Parvez said that the country is lucky enough to have a treasure of natural resources.

It is need of the hour to explore them and get benefit in a bid to make development.

Dr Naureen Aziz Qureshi said that food security and the water are areas of the grave concern for the country.

She was of the view that all stakeholders should sit together to map out a comprehensive plan.

She hoped that the conference will pave a way to develop the strategy.

Dr Muhammad Arshad said that the environmental issues were also affecting the quality of life.

He said that in the last four decades, the population of Pakistan has increased manifold causing food insecurity.

Dr Farhat Abbas said the GCUF has emerged the number sixth best university in the Higher Education ranking.

He said that 160 oral presentations will be shown in the conference. He concluded that moot comprising eight technical sessions was aimed at devising a plan to address the environment related issues.