Recent floods in Pakistan cost 9pc of GDP, says climate minister

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik has warned that Pakistan faces unprecedented climate-driven devastation, revealing that recent floods alone have wiped out 9 per cent of the country’s GDP.

Speaking at a joint press conference with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik, the minister said the political focus of the country must shift toward protecting citizens from escalating climate threats.

Musadik Malik noted that over 4,500 people have died in major flood events over the past three to four years, numbers he said rival wartime casualties. “Politics is about the sorrow and pain of the people,” he said, adding, “Saving lives should be at the heart of national politics.”

According to the minister, the humanitarian impact of recent floods has been catastrophic. He said that 40 million Pakistanis were affected, 20 million were displaced, and more than 18,000 have been left disabled. He stressed that Pakistan’s current drainage infrastructure is also incapable of handling the scale of climate-induced disasters.

Musadik Malik announced that the government is implementing an effective national climate plan, which includes, nationwide activation of an early warning system, reconstruction of flood-damaged roads within 200 days, and development of climate-resilient infrastructure within five years.

NDMA chairman echoed the minister’s concerns, noting that climate impacts are intensifying every year. He warned that the 2026 monsoon season is expected to be 20-26 per cent more severe than this year’s, urging immediate preparedness.

He also outlined NDMA’s upcoming strategy, including customised flood-management plans for the Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej rivers. He said Pakistan will construct new dams and barrages on its rivers and may impose restrictions on tourist movement during high-risk flood periods.

Both officials accentuated that while climate change cannot be reversed, effective planning and early action can significantly reduce future losses.