PM Shehbaz announces climate and agriculture emergency amid flood devastation

Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday underlined the urgent need for a well-structured national plan to confront the mounting dangers of climate change, which he said had repeatedly brought devastation to the country.

Addressing the federal cabinet, he observed that the recent waves of torrential rains and floods had inflicted widespread destruction, resulting in grave human tragedies and heavy economic losses.

He emphasized that the magnitude of the challenge was enormous and required long-term strategies rather than short-term fixes.

In his address, broadcast live on national television, the premier explained that surveys were in progress to determine the extent of damage to agricultural crops, particularly wheat and cotton.

PM Shehbaz noted that nearly a thousand lives had been lost, countless families had been forced from their homes, and fertile farmland had been swallowed by floodwaters.

He announced that, following the cabinet meeting, the government would formally declare a climate and agriculture emergency to respond to the worsening crisis.

PM Shehbaz also warned that the threat had not yet subsided, as floodwaters were making their way toward Sindh. He assured that the federal and provincial administrations would work jointly to provide compensation and relief to those affected.

Commenting on the situation in the Middle East, the prime minister condemned in strong terms Israel’s strike on a residential area in Doha, calling it an act of naked aggression.

PM Shehbaz said he had spoken with Qatar’s Emir to convey Pakistan’s complete solidarity, which was warmly acknowledged by the Qatari leadership.

He added that the atrocities in Gaza continued without pause, claiming the lives of innocent men, women, children, and the elderly, and remarked that history had never witnessed such levels of brutality.

On his recent official visit to China, PM Shehbaz said the meetings with the Chinese leadership were productive and the business conference held there proved highly successful.

He appreciated the role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), his cabinet colleagues, and officials in ensuring its success. Stressing the need for consistent follow-up, he warned that complacency, delays, and the inertia of the past would not be tolerated under his government.

PM Shehbaz informed the cabinet that agreements worth $8.5 billion had been signed during the Pakistan-China business-to-business conference in Beijing, describing it as a milestone in economic cooperation.

He explained that the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor would focus on agriculture, with China contributing 85 percent of the investment while Pakistan provided 15 percent.

The premier also highlighted that American firms had shown interest in investing in Pakistan’s mineral and mining sector with modern technology, reaffirming Islamabad’s commitment to enhance relations with the United States alongside its strategic partnership with China.

Paying tribute to Major Adnan Aslam, who embraced martyrdom while combating militants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), the prime minister said he attended the funeral and met the bereaved family, who displayed remarkable courage. He lauded the security forces for their sacrifices in defending the

PM Shehbaz strongly criticized malicious campaigns on social media targeting the armed forces, calling such acts unacceptable and dangerous.

He insisted that those behind these activities must be exposed and dealt with firmly, describing this behavior as a form of “fitna” that had to be eradicated.

The cabinet also offered Fateha for the deceased mothers of Minister Chaudhry Junaid Anwar, Sadiq Sanjrani and others.