Samaa Digital journalist wins climate change reporting contest

ISLAMABAD — Journalist Wajid Ali of Samaa Digital has won a climate change reporting contest organized by the British High Commission in Islamabad for a story highlighting the vulnerability of Pakistan’s street workers. His feature focused on how workers exposed daily to extreme heat and environmental hazards interpret climate impacts through faith-based beliefs.

His winning report, titled “How Pakistan’s Street Workers See Climate Change as God’s Will,” drew attention to a common perception among street workers that climate change is an act of divine will rather than a consequence of human behavior. To bridge this gap, Wajid consulted religious scholars to help explain how faith and scientific understanding can coexist, making climate awareness more relatable.

British High Commission hosts reception

To honor his achievement, British High Commissioner Jane Marriott invited Wajid to her residence in Islamabad’s Diplomatic Enclave, where climate journalism leads Sneha Lala, Nimra Zaheer, and Rabia Malik also attended. They praised his work for elevating the voices of vulnerable communities and for addressing a sensitive intersection of culture, faith, and climate awareness.

Marriott commended the strength of Wajid’s arguments and noted that his recommendations could inform future public communication efforts on climate change. She emphasized the importance of integrating faith leaders into outreach programs, given their influence within communities across Pakistan

Strengthening climate reporting in Pakistan

The High Commissioner stressed that journalists must collaborate to advance solution-driven climate reporting at a time when Pakistan faces worsening climate risks. She noted that inclusive and culturally grounded storytelling like Wajid’s can help strengthen community resilience.

The competition is part of ongoing efforts by the British High Commission to support climate-focused media work in Pakistan. Training programs and reporting initiatives launched in recent years aim to equip journalists with tools to cover climate impacts, resilience strategies, and public awareness campaigns.

Source:JP