PM Sharif approves short-term plan to mitigate monsoon losses

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has approved a comprehensive short-term plan aimed at preventing losses during next year’s monsoon season. The decision has been take to tackle the looming threat of climate change and reduce the devastating impact of future monsoons.

The approval came after a high-level review meeting chaired by the prime minister, where key government stakeholders discussed the nation’s preparedness for climate-related challenges, especially the monsoon. The Ministry of Climate Change presented a detailed report outlining short-, medium-, and long-term strategies to address the adverse effects of the annual rainfall.

During the meeting, PM Sharif accentuated the urgency of immediate action. He directed the Ministry of Climate Change, in coordination with the Ministry of Planning and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), to implement the short-term plan without delay. The goal is to make all necessary preparations well in advance to minimize damages next year.

“We cannot afford to be reactive when it comes to climate change. We need to take precautionary measures now to protect lives, property, and the economy from the devastating impacts of the monsoon season,” the Prime Minister said in a statement.

The premier also called for convening a meeting of the National Water Council to formulate a national-level strategy focused on efficient water management. Pakistan, which has seen an increasing frequency of climate-related disasters, including floods, faces significant economic losses every few years due to the unpredictability of weather patterns.

“Every third year, Pakistan is forced to divert a large portion of its GDP to mitigate the effects of climate change. This is a burden we can no longer afford. Immediate and coordinated action is crucial,” PM Sharif said.

Stakeholders across various sectors will be working together to develop a strategy that not only tackles immediate threats but also lays the foundation for sustainable climate resilience in the long term.