Govt constitutes task force to address recent heatwave and impact of climate change

ISLAMABAD: A task committee has been formed by the government to examine the recent heatwave and the implications of climate change.

The decision was made at a high-level conference in Islamabad on Monday, which was convened by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The task group will include relevant federal ministries and secretaries, as well as provincial chief secretaries and secretaries, the Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), and high-ranking officers from other departments.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the gathering and urged the task group to develop a comprehensive strategy to mitigate the effects of climate change, prevent future Shishper Glacier events, and address the issue of water and food scarcity.

He added that the approach should include measures to conserve water and safeguard existing reservoirs and forests.

The group was informed that climate change is the primary cause of the country’s recent heatwave. Despite its massive glaciers, Pakistan faces a water scarcity, which would have a direct impact on the country’s agriculture industry.

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Shehbaz Sharif has been instructed to start a public awareness campaign about water conservation right immediately. Before the monsoon season begins, he said, early actions should be taken to store rainwater.

Cholistan’s water deficit was also brought to the Prime Minister’s attention.

Shehbaz Sharif has given orders to guarantee that water is available to people and livestock in the Cholistan. In light of the heatwave, he stated the district administration and relevant authorities should ensure rapid relief activities in the area.

The Prime Minister also ordered the Chairman of the NDMA to visit Hunza and directed to rebuild the bridge that collapsed in the Shishper Glacier outburst incident.

Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Ministry of Education to ensure that heat-related SOPs are followed in both public and private institutions.

The Prime Minister also ordered the Health Ministry to submit a full study on the potential impact of the new COVID-19 sub-variant.