PM Shehbaz directs authorities to ensure preparedness for upcoming monsoon

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities concerned to ensure complete functionality of the early warning system and digital monitoring infrastructure ahead of the upcoming monsoon season.

He issued these directives while chairing a meeting in Islamabad today to review preparedness for the monsoon season and strategy to counter climate threats.

The prime minister emphasised that taking steps to facilitating the people, service delivery, and protection from threats are the fundamental responsibility of all institutions.

He expressed strong displeasure over the non-functionality of the early warning system installed in Gilgit-Baltistan to deal with risks arising from glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF) amid extreme weather conditions. He ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the matter.

Shehbaz emphasised that all relevant institutions, in complete coordination with provincial governments, must take practical steps to remove bottlenecks in implementation of policy in this connection. He made it clear that incompetence and poor performance of the concerned departments will not be tolerated.

Referring to last year’s monsoon season, the premier noted that illegal encroachments along riverbeds and potential flood channels caused immense destructions. He said an effective pre-emptive strategy has been adopted this year to address the issue.

He further directed all relevant institutions to enhance their capacity to deal with potential flooding and go beyond available resources to facilitate and protect the public.

The Chairman National Disaster Management Authority, Chairman Water and Power Development Authority, and the Ministry of Climate Change briefed the meeting regarding  the steps taken in light of the Prime Minister’s directives.