Pakistan among most affected countries by climate change, PM Shehbaz Sharif

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that, after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, the province of Punjab is now also facing severe flooding and high levels of water, prompting a full-scale response from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), rescue agencies, and other relevant departments.

In a statement, the Prime Minister praised the timely response and efforts of government ministers, political leadership, civil administration, and the Pakistan Armed Forces in assisting flood-affected communities. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and property caused by the floods and conveyed his heartfelt sympathies to the affected families.

While addressing to Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz, federal and provincial ministers, and NDMA officials in Narowal, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said, an effective early warning system helped mitigate larger-scale destruction. “Pakistan is among the countries most affected by climate change,” he said. “In the coming years, we must adopt a comprehensive strategy to deal with the challenges posed by climate change.”

PM Shehbaz stressed the need to further mobilize disaster response institutions and called for immediate action to enhance the country’s water storage capacity. “We must utilize our own resources to build new water reservoirs,” he stated, adding that the country has significant potential for the construction of small dams.

The Prime Minister emphasized the formulation of short-, medium-, and long-term policies to address environmental challenges and said that only through teamwork can Pakistan effectively cope with natural disasters like floods.