In a groundbreaking achievement for climate journalism, Pakistani reporters Hamna Iqbal Baig and Faisal Rehman have been honored with the 2025 Developing Asia Journalism Award (DAJA) by the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI).
Their investigative report, “In the Heat of Labour,” published on FairPlanet with support from the Earth Journalism Network, sheds light on a hidden public health crisis: the devastating impact of intensifying heatwaves on pregnant women in Pakistan, particularly in underserved communities.
The award ceremony, held virtually on July 24, recognized efforts of Pakistani journalists and their meticulous work in uncovering how climate change-driven heatwaves. In Pakistan, where temperatures often exceed 45°C, there is always a fear of a surge in dehydration, preterm labor, and miscarriages among pregnant women.
The investigation highlights vulnerable populations in areas like Karachi and Jacobabad, where urban heat islands and inadequate healthcare infrastructure amplify the risks. Baig emphasized the report’s motivation stemmed from “institutional silence” and a lack of data, pushing the team to amplify community voices and frontline health workers’ insights.
Interviews with affected women, such as Samreen from Karachi, reveal the human toll. Samreen, who gave birth during the 2024 heatwave, described relentless fatigue and reduced fetal movements, a pattern echoed by others facing similar conditions. Medical experts, including those from the Indus Hospital & Health Network, corroborate these findings, noting a correlation between extreme heat and adverse pregnancy outcomes, though official statistics remain scarce due to poor data collection systems. A 2024 Amnesty International report supports this, documenting how heat disproportionately affects Pakistan’s poor, with pregnant women among the most vulnerable due to limited access to cooling and medical care.
The report critiques the absence of targeted policies, despite Pakistan’s ranking as the fifth-most climate-vulnerable country globally. Experts like Anjum Nazir Zaigham from the Pakistan Meteorological Department highlight the urban heat island effect in densely populated areas, exacerbating the crisis. Rehman stressed that their work aims to bridge this gap, urging policymakers to prioritize maternal healthcare during heatwaves.
