Islamabad, Pakistan – Web Desk: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the formation of a Federal Emergency Response Committee and ordered immediate nationwide preparedness measures ahead of the upcoming monsoon season, warning that Pakistan remains highly vulnerable to climate change-related disasters.
Chairing a high-level meeting in Islamabad on Wednesday, the prime minister instructed Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) chairman to undertake emergency visits to all four provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) this week to review monsoon preparedness and ensure emergency plans are fully operational.
The meeting was attended by senior federal ministers, provincial chief secretaries, the NDMA chairman, the WAPDA chairman and other top officials.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said Pakistan is among the countries most severely affected by climate change, stressing that strong coordination between the federal and provincial governments is essential to minimise the impact of floods, heavy rainfall and other climate-related emergencies.
He directed the establishment of an Emergency Response Committee, headed by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, comprising the NDMA and relevant federal ministries. The committee will hold weekly meetings throughout the monsoon season to monitor preparedness, coordinate relief efforts and review emergency response plans.
The prime minister also instructed Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb to complete advance arrangements for an emergency disaster relief fund to ensure immediate financial support in case of monsoon-related emergencies.
Highlighting long-term climate resilience, PM Shehbaz said the federal government has allocated an additional Rs330 billion in the current fiscal year’s budget to accelerate water sector projects aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s water security.
He further directed provincial governments to remove encroachments obstructing rivers, drains and flood channels before heavy rainfall begins and instructed all relevant institutions to utilise their full administrative and technical capacity to protect lives and property.
During the meeting, the NDMA briefed participants on expected weather patterns, warning that Pakistan is likely to experience above-normal rainfall and prolonged heatwaves during July, alongside increasing risks of urban and riverine flooding.
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz chaired a meeting with the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) and directed the organisation to prepare a comprehensive roadmap to further improve welfare initiatives and public services for overseas Pakistanis.
He described overseas Pakistanis as one of the country’s most valuable national assets, acknowledging their significant contribution through foreign remittances, which continue to play a vital role in supporting Pakistan’s economy.
The prime minister also instructed the OPF to accelerate ongoing welfare projects and introduce additional measures to facilitate Pakistanis living abroad.
