ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has set up a committee as part of the government’s bid to chalk out an integrated mechanism to bring all the relevant government institutions together in order to deal with the challenges posed by climate change.
This was stated by Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik on Tuesday.
The said committee, working under the supervision of the Defence Ministry, is mandated to map out a plan to bring together national institutions dealing with climate, glacier monitoring, early warning systems, satellite data, disaster management and other climate-related data, he said, briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordina-tion.
Sherry Rehman, the committee’s chairperson, presided over the panel’s meeting.
Presently, the climate change minister said, the Ministry of Water Resources deals with the issues involving the glaciers and water systems.
Early water systems fall under the ambit of Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), whereas satellite data is monitored by Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), he added.
Malik said Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) deals with issues concerning water and power, and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) as well as the provincial management bodies deal with issues involving natural disasters.
“As it stands clear, different departments deal with the respective issues concerning climate change. A unified mechanism is required to bring them on one platform to effectively respond to the challenges posed by climate change,” the minister said.
The government is considering the option of “digital twinning” for better understanding and modelling of climate change-related risks, he added.
Climate change officials informed the committee that out of 115 “potentially dangerous” glacial lakes, 105 had unfrozen till 5 August.
The committee was also informed that of the early warning systems planned from 2017 to 2026, 34 early warning systems have been provided, while another 284 systems will be supplied within six months while the remaining systems were being completed.
Chairperson Rehman said Pakistan has an “exceptionally high exposure” to glacier-related risks.
She said Pakistan has 13,032 glaciers and more than 3,000 glacial lakes. Historical records note that the country has experienced around 131 recorded glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) events, 33 glacial lakes in Pakistan are dangerous and could burst suddenly, the senator added.
A glacial lake outburst could put 7.1 million people in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at risk, Senator Rehman added.
“Pakistan must move beyond general assessments and develop a comprehensive, countrywide system for monitoring its glaciers and glacial lakes,” she demanded.
Regarding deforestation, the committee called for a separate audit of “timber-related activity” and forest loss over the last 15 years.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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