Prime Minister demands national climate strategy, funds for loss mitigation
PM Shehbaz says flood damages to be assessed; solar project to be completed this year
Prime Minister OF Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif visited flood-hit areas of Gilgit-baltistan on Monday, where he express deep concern over the devastation caused by recent mosoon rains.
Prime Minister to meet victims of recent torrential rains and floods, announcing a Rs4 billion package for infrastructure restoration and distributing compensation cheques among affected families.
During his visit, the premier handed over Rs1 million compensation cheques to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the calamity. Offering prayers for the deceased and speedy recovery of the injured, the prime minister said he had come to express solidarity with the flood victims.
“Pakistan is among the countries most affected by climate change,” PM Shehbaz said while addressing the check-distribution ceremony.
He called for the establishment of an advanced warning system to mitigate future disaster risks. “An early warning system is the need of the hour,” he stressed.
He lamented that no progress had been made on this front in the past seven years and expressed dissatisfaction that even in the past year and a quarter, significant development was lacking.
Shehbaz directed the climate change minister to immediately prepare a national strategy to combat climate impacts and secure international funds for mitigation and adaptation. He also ordered the establishment of modern infrastructure for weather forecasting, relief preparations, and dealing with natural disasters.
“I’ve asked the Climate Change Ministry to act swiftly. We need to bring in funds and take serious steps to adapt,” he said.
Shehbaz Sharif lauded the efforts of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the Ministry of Communications and other institutions for the prompt restoration of highways and the safe transfer of stranded people.
The meeting was briefed that the July 21 cloudburst in Gilgit-Baltistan caused damage to tourists and the local population. Over 600 people were rescued and the affected highways were reopened shortly after. Five tent settlements were set up for the rescue operation, while 10 helicopters and two C-130 aircraft were used to transport people to safer places, the meeting was told.
The prime minister instructed authorities to:
- Complete damage surveys of highways and infrastructure
- Restore communication links in affected regions on priority
- Ensure coordination between NDMA and provincial institutions during emergencies
- Accelerate rehabilitation for monsoon-affected communities
Speaking to journalists after arriving in GB, he called for measures to address climate change and expressed regret over the loss of life and property due to the rains.
Noting that the federal bodies were in contact with the GB government, the premier shed light on the issue of climate change and the threat that it posed.
“Every year we are affected by climate change [….] Measures to address climate change challenges are the need of the hour,” the PM said as he recalled the 2022 floods, and further added that the Ministry of Climate Change has been instructed to deal with the challenges in this regard.
Reviewing the devastation caused by recent rains in various areas of GB, the PM directed the relevant authorities to work diligently on disaster response and infrastructure resilience.
PM Shehbaz, while chairing a high-level meeting to assess the losses and damages caused by recent rains and cloud-burst incidents in Diamir and surrounding areas, said that the natural disaster resulted in extensive destruction and sadly claimed several lives.
Highlighting Pakistan’s minimal contribution to global emissions, the prime minister stressed that despite the fact that Pakistan contributed almost zero emissions, it was among the top ten nations most affected by climate change-induced disasters.
“Despite Pakistan’s near-zero emissions, we suffer huge devastation every year due to global warming,” he noted.
He further emphasised the importance of global climate conferences, directing the authorities to ensure active participation aimed at securing funds for building resilient infrastructure to combat future disasters.
