Islamabad: The nation of Pakistan marked the 21st National Resilience Day with a solemn tribute to the victims of the devastating earthquake that struck on October 8, 2005. Citizens across the country remembered the lives lost and acknowledged the collective response that followed the tragedy.

According to Press Information Department, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addressed the nation’s climate vulnerabilities, emphasizing the need for resilience as natural disasters continue to impact the country. Pakistan faces challenges such as floods, earthquakes, landslides, forest fires, pandemics, and smog, despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions.

The Prime Minister highlighted the necessity of integrating advanced technologies in disaster response efforts through the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). This includes the deployment of improved early warning systems backed by data analytics. The focus remains on anticipating risks, minimizing losses, and ensuring effective recovery and reconstruction.

Sharif underscored the importance of climate-resilient development, noting that it should be a central component of public infrastructure, urban planning, agriculture, and other development investments. Special attention is being directed towards vulnerable communities and high-risk areas to improve preparedness and resilience.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to transitioning from reactive to anticipatory measures, aiming for a more resilient Pakistan in the face of increasing climate-induced disasters. The integration of climate information, satellite technology, and scientific risk assessments is seen as crucial in enhancing the nation’s capacity to manage and mitigate disaster impacts.