Islamabad: The Emergency Response Committee (ERC) of Pakistan convened its third meeting at the National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) in Islamabad to assess the nation’s preparedness and coordinated response for the 2026 monsoon season. The committee, formed under the directive of the Prime Minister, is tasked with overseeing measures to manage and mitigate monsoon-related emergencies.

According to Press Information Department, the meeting was chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal. It was attended by Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, and senior officials from NDMA, alongside representatives from federal ministries, departments, and other stakeholders.

The committee evaluated the preparedness activities of provincial disaster management authorities, focusing on contingency planning, resource deployment, and public awareness efforts. It also reviewed the status of relief supplies, emergency communication systems, and inter-agency coordination efforts essential for effective response operations.

During the meeting, the Chairman NDMA provided insights into the operational activities of the NEOC. The Centre, he noted, continues to monitor weather patterns through a comprehensive multi-hazard system, issuing timely forecasts and warnings to stakeholders.

The committee instructed relevant departments to sustain readiness throughout the monsoon period, emphasizing the importance of coordination, communication, and protection of vulnerable communities and infrastructure. Preparedness plans from the Ministry of Communications, Ministry of Power, and WAPDA were also examined.

Professor Ahsan Iqbal highlighted the necessity of seamless coordination among response agencies to ensure rapid decision-making and resource mobilization. The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the ERC’s commitment to maintaining national coordination and an effective response mechanism to protect lives and infrastructure during the monsoon season.