Islamabad, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar instructed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to develop a national strategy in collaboration with Provincial Disaster Management Authorities to address the challenges posed by climate change. This directive was given during his visit to the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) in Islamabad, where he emphasized utilizing expert research to manage the impacts of climate change.

According to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Prime Minister commended the NDMA and NEOC for their proactive approach in predicting natural calamities and implementing measures to mitigate their effects. He instructed the NDMA to support PDMAs in enhancing their capabilities and interacted with team members and officers during his visit to various sections of the NEOC. The Prime Minister was briefed on Pakistan’s preparedness for disasters, recovery efforts, and proposals for the country’s representation at the 28th United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP-28) in the United Arab Emirates.

The meeting revealed an action plan under the NDMA for disaster management, including early warnings and practical measures to mitigate damages. Pakistan faces significant risks due to climate change, such as glacier melting, floods, Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF), snow avalanches, landslides, wildfires, and other hazards, as discussed in the context of COP-28. The impact of climate change on agriculture, the economy, and fundamental infrastructure was also highlighted, along with the NDMA’s efforts in monitoring high-risk areas using modern technology and collaboration with provincial governments and district administrations to reduce the adverse effects of climate change-induced natural disasters.