Separately, PM directs OPF to prepare roadmap for overseas Pakistanis’ welfare, calls for momentum in ongoing projects
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chairs reviews meeting on preparedness for Monsoon season and strategy to counter climate threats. PHOTO: PID
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday ordered the formation of a federal emergency response committee and directed the climate change minister Musadik Malik and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) chairman to undertake emergency visits to all provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) this week to review preparedness for the monsoon season.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Shehbaz chaired a meeting in Islamabad to review monsoon preparedness and the country’s response to climate change-related risks.
The meeting was attended by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Power Minister Sardar Awais Ahmed Leghari, Climate Minister Musadik Malik, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, the NDMA chairman, the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) chairman, chief secretaries of all provinces and other senior officials.
The prime minister said Pakistan was among the countries most affected by climate change and stressed that effective coordination between the federal and provincial governments was essential to mitigate its impact.
“Pakistan is among the countries affected by the adverse impacts of climate change. Effective and comprehensive coordination between the federation and provinces is indispensable to tackling climate-related risks at the national level,” he said.
PM Shehbaz directed Musadik Malik and the NDMA chairman to carry out emergency visits across all provinces, AJK and G-B during the week to ensure monsoon preparedness was complete.
He also ordered the formation of an Emergency Response Committee, to be headed by the planning minister, comprising the NDMA and other relevant federal ministries, to work closely with provincial authorities during the monsoon season.
The committee will hold weekly meetings to monitor preparedness and coordinate the government’s response, the prime minister directed.
Sharif also instructed Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb to complete advance preparations for the establishment of an emergency fund to be used in the event of monsoon-related disasters.
Referring to development assistance, the prime minister said projects financed by international organisations “should also be utilised to strengthen the capacity of national and local institutions.”
He said the federal government had allocated an additional Rs330 billion in the current fiscal year’s budget to accelerate the completion of water sector projects aimed at improving Pakistan’s long-term water security.
Calling for a proactive approach, PM Shehbaz directed authorities to prepare a comprehensive roadmap to deal with potential flooding during the monsoon season, drawing on lessons learned from previous years.
He also instructed provincial governments to remove encroachments and resolve other issues obstructing river channels and flood pathways in vulnerable districts before heavy rains begin.
During the monsoon season, “all institutions must utilise their full administrative and technical capacity for the convenience and safety of the public,” the prime minister said.
During the meeting, the NDMA chairman briefed participants on the country’s monsoon preparedness, expected rainfall patterns, and climate trends.
According to the briefing, extreme heat and unusual weather patterns are expected globally this year, while Pakistan is also likely to experience prolonged heatwaves and above-normal rainfall during July.
The NDMA said all necessary arrangements were being made under a proposed strategy to deal with the anticipated weather conditions and any resulting flood situation.
Overseas Pakistanis
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) to prepare and present a comprehensive roadmap for further improvements to the body’s initiatives.
According to an X post by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), PM Shehbaz met with the OPF Chairman of the Board of Governors Syed Qamar Raza, as well as OPF Managing Director Afzaal Bhatti.
“Discussions were held on the foundation’s initiatives to address the issues of Pakistanis residing abroad,” the PMO wrote. It added that in his remarks, PM Shehbaz “stated that overseas Pakistanis are a valuable asset of the nation, contributing significantly to foreign exchange remittances by sending their hard-earned earnings back to Pakistan.”
The premier directed the OPF that “further momentum be brought to the ongoing projects and initiatives for the welfare of overseas Pakistanis.”
During the meeting with Raza and Bhatti, PM Shehbaz was briefed on the roadmap for additional measures to promote the welfare of overseas Pakistanis and provide them with facilities, the PMO said.
The OPF officials also paid tribute to the prime minister for Pakistan’s efforts toward global peace while PM Shehbaz expressed satisfaction with the OPF’s initiatives, directing the body to prepare a roadmap.
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Overseas Pakistanis contribute nearly $40 billion annually, helping support household incomes, finance imports, and stabilise external accounts. At a time when exports remain largely stagnant and foreign direct investment fails to gain momentum, remittances provide a reliable source of foreign exchange.
They have repeatedly cushioned the economy during periods of crisis and remain one of the few economic indicators showing sustained growth. In January, it was reported that remittances rose to a record $3.6 billion in December 2025. However, given the conflict in the Middle East, the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics warned in March that the annual inflow of remittances could decline by $3-4 billion.
It also noted that every year, around 700,000 to 800,000 Pakistanis travel to Gulf countries for employment, saying that if the conflict continued, about 500,000 Pakistani expatriates may not be able to go abroad for work in 2026.