ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The federal government has constituted a task force to deal with the issue of Climate Change.
The decision to this effect was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Monday which discussed matters pertaining to recent heatwave and the impact of Climate Change.
The task force will comprise relevant Federal Ministers, Secretaries, the Provincial Chief Secretaries & relevant Provincial Secretaries, the Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), and high-ranking Officers of other Departments.
موسمیاتی تبدیلی کو مدنظر رکھتے ہوئے ماہرین پر مشتمل ٹاسک فورس بنائی جا رہی ہے جو شسپر گلیشئیر جیسے واقعات سے مسقبل میں بچاؤ، غذائی اور پانی کی قلت سے بچنے کیلئے مؤثراقدامات، پانی کے بچاؤ اور موجودہ ذخائر کی حفاظت اور جنگلات کے تحفظ کیلئے جامع حکمتِ عملی اور اقدامات کرے گی۔
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) May 16, 2022
In his remarks on the occasion, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif directed the task force to prepare a comprehensive strategy to reduce the impact of Climate Change, avert Shishper Glacier-like incidents in the future and deal with the issue of water and food shortage.
The prime minister said that the strategy should also encompass steps for water conservation and protection of existing reservoirs and forests.
The meeting was informed that Climate Change is the biggest reason behind the recent heatwave in the Country. Regardless of huge glaciers, Pakistan is faced with the threat of water shortage and this will have a direct impact on the agriculture sector of Pakistan.
Shahbaz Sharif directed to immediately launch a public awareness campaign for water conservation. He said that immediate steps should be taken for storage of rain water before the onset of the monsoon season.
The prime minister was also apprised of water shortage in Cholistan.
Shahbaz Sharif directed to ensure the provision of water to the people and animals in Cholistan. He said that district administration and relevant departments should ensure immediate relief activities in the area in view of heatwave there.
The prime minister also directed the Chairman NDMA to immediately visit Hunza. He directed to immediately construct the bridge collapsed in Shishper Glacier outburst incident.
Shahbaz Sharif directed the Ministry of Education to ensure compliance of SOPs related to heatwave in the public and private sector schools.
The prime minister also directed the Health Ministry to present a detailed report about the possible impact of new sub-variant of COVID-19.
