Islamabad (GNP): Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr. Musadik Malik said protecting the endangered Indus blind dolphin is a shared responsibility and highlighted the importance of conserving biodiversity and freshwater ecosystems.
He noted that climate change is adversely affecting rivers, wildlife and aquatic species, making coordinated and effective climate action more important than ever.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Indus Dolphin Ambulance, organized by Zong in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the minister said that the impacts of climate changes are increasingly threatening aquatic life and Pakistan’s natural heritage.
He said the Indus Valley represents one of the world’s oldest living civilizations, and the Indus River is home to the rare Indus blind dolphin, a unique symbol of the country’s natural and cultural heritage.
Dr. Musadik Malik stressed the need for effective and coordinated measures to address the climate change.
He said protecting the endangered Indus blind dolphin is a shared responsibility and highlighted the importance of conserving biodiversity and freshwater ecosystems.
He noted that climate change is adversely affecting rivers, wildlife and aquatic species, making coordinated and effective climate action more important than ever.
Dr. Malik appreciated the efforts of the federal and provincial governments in conserving the Indus blind dolphin, saying sustained conservation initiatives have helped protect the species and its habitat.
He also lauded Zong and WWF for launching the Indus Dolphin Ambulance, describing it as an innovative initiative that would strengthen rescue, rehabilitation and conservation efforts for the endangered mammal.
The minister urged all stakeholders to work together to protect nature, rivers and wildlife, emphasizing that safeguarding biodiversity is essential for ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
Zong, Pakistan’s leading technology services enterprise, has partnered with WWF-Pakistan to strengthen conservation efforts for the endangered Indus River Dolphin (Platanista minor), one of the world’s rarest freshwater dolphin species and an iconic symbol of Pakistan’s natural heritage. Through its support of WWF Pakistan’s ongoing Indus Dolphin conservation program, Zong is contributing to enhanced rescue operations, ecological monitoring, community engagement, and environmental awareness to help safeguard the species and its fragile river ecosystem.
The partnership was marked by the inauguration of the Indus Dolphin Rescue and Mobile Awareness Ambulance, held at the WWF Pakistan office in Islamabad. The ceremony was attended by the Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Malik, Zong Chairman and CEO Huo Junli, Director General WWF Pakistan Hammad Naqi Khan, His Excellency Yang Guangyuan of the Chinese Embassy, alongside senior dignitaries from the partner organizations.
Speaking of this flagship initiative, Chief Regulatory Officer Zong, Kamran Ali, stated: “It is a great honour to be part of this moment. For Zong, the Indus Dolphin Rescue Ambulance is a concrete expression of our commitment to inclusive growth and environmental stewardship – a meaningful initiative rooted in the enduring friendship between China and Pakistan. For nearly two decades, Zong has put down deep roots in Pakistan, dedicated to bridging the digital divide and serving Pakistani society through cutting-edge technologies. We hope this project marks a new starting point, enabling us to better protect the environment and contribute to building a closer China-Pakistan community”
Director General WWF Pakistan, Hammad Naqi Khan, added: “Pakistan is home to an estimated population of around 2,000 Indus River Dolphins, which is a remarkable conservation success story. Since 1992, WWF-Pakistan has worked closely with the provincial Wildlife Departments, particularly the Sindh and Punjab Wildlife Departments, alongside other valued partners and support from the private sector, to rescue and release more than 200 stranded dolphins. The addition of this dedicated dolphin ambulance will significantly strengthen our emergency response and monitoring capacity, helping ensure that stranded animals receive timely assistance. The partnership demonstrates how businesses can move beyond conventional corporate philanthropy to invest in practical, measurable conservation solutions.”
Found exclusively in the Indus River system, the Indus River Dolphin has faced decades of habitat fragmentation, shrinking freshwater flows, and accidental canal strandings, making it one of the world’s most endangered cetaceans. The initiative deploys a specialized mobile rescue and awareness unit covering the largest global population of the Indus River Dolphin between the Guddu and Sukkur barrages in Sindh. The ambulance will enhance monitoring of stranded dolphins, support timely rescue and safe translocation efforts, engage more than 1,500 fisherfolk and riverine community members as frontline conservation partners, and deliver 50 awareness sessions across remote settlements.
Aligned with Zong’s sustainability pillars of Green & Low Carbon Operations and Inclusive Growth, the partnership reflects the company’s commitment to biodiversity protection and community empowerment, demonstrating that environmental stewardship and socioeconomic development can advance hand in hand toward a more sustainable future for Pakistan.
The Indus River Dolphin is one of Pakistan’s greatest conservation success stories. Its recovery has been made possible through decades of collaboration with the provincial Wildlife Departments, local communities and conservation partners. This new ambulance represents another important step in ensuring the long-term protection of this iconic species.
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Made possible with the support of Zong, the initiative demonstrates how collaboration between the private sector, government and conservation organisations can deliver practical solutions for nature.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
