Islamabad: Federal Ministers have reaffirmed the government's resolve to protect critical infrastructure and minimize damage through a rapid and coordinated response during the ongoing monsoon season. Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Tanveer Hussain, Musadik Malik, Mueen Wattoo, Muhammad Aurangzeb, and Attaullah Tarar expressed this commitment during a visit to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) headquarters in Islamabad today.

According to Radio Pakistan, Ahsan Iqbal highlighted that Pakistan is confronting challenges such as flash floods, landslides, and urban flooding due to the severe impacts of climate change. He noted that the government had initiated necessary measures well before the onset of the monsoon season. He added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a committee under a whole-of-government approach to ensure an effective response to these challenges.

Musadik Malik stated that the government has adopted a comprehensive and targeted strategy for hilly, plain, and urban areas to protect people from the adverse impacts of monsoon rains. Muhammad Aurangzeb mentioned that rapid population growth and climate change are among the country's biggest challenges. He said the government is working to strengthen climate resilience under the World Bank's ten-year Country Partnership Framework.

Attaullah Tarar emphasized that timely weather forecasts are being disseminated in coordination with the NDMA and other relevant organizations. Rana Tanveer Hussain highlighted the need to strengthen response agencies at the district level to ensure effective management of emergency situations, noting that the agriculture sector has been severely affected by the heavy rains.

Mueen Wattoo stressed the importance of enhancing the country's water storage capacity, expressing confidence that the completion of projects such as the Diamer-Bhasha Dam would significantly increase Pakistan's water storage capacity. The Ministers were briefed about the steps taken by the NDMA regarding the monsoon rains in the country.