PM directs coordinated strategy to tackle monsoon, climate risks

Islamabad, 1 July: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed all federal and provincial ministries, departments, and relevant institutions to adopt a coordinated and comprehensive strategy to effectively address the challenges posed by the upcoming monsoon season and growing climate-related risks.

Chairing a high-level review meeting on monsoon preparedness and climate resilience in Islamabad, the prime minister observed that Pakistan remains among the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, making strong cooperation between the federation and provinces essential for mitigating national-level threats.

To ensure timely preparedness, Prime Minister Shehbaz instructed the Minister for Climate Change and the Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to undertake emergency visits to all provinces, as well as to Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, during the current week to review and finalize preparedness measures.

The prime minister also ordered the establishment of an Emergency Response Committee under the supervision of the Minister for Planning and Development. The committee, comprising representatives from the NDMA and other relevant federal ministries, will coordinate closely with provincial authorities and hold weekly meetings to monitor preparedness and ensure the implementation of preventive measures.

Furthermore, Prime Minister Shehbaz directed the Minister for Finance to make advance arrangements for an emergency fund to address any financial requirements arising from potential monsoon-related disasters. He also stressed that foreign-funded development projects should contribute to enhancing the disaster management and response capacities of national and local institutions to better cope with future climate challenges.