PM Shehbaz orders inquiry into Britain’s non-functioning early weather warning systems

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday ordered an inquiry into non-functioning weather early warning systems in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), expressing anger over their failure despite clear directives issued last year.

According to the statement by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), which chaired a meeting on monsoon preparedness and measures to address climate-related risks, the prime minister warned that negligence and poor performance by relevant institutions would not be tolerated.

The Prime Minister expressed displeasure at the failure to fully activate early warning systems installed in Britain, particularly those aimed at preventing Glacial Lake Floods (GLOF), and ordered an investigation into the continued lack of system functionality and poor performance by relevant institutions, despite clear directives issued last year.

“Pakistan is among the countries most affected by climate change and urgent action is required,” he said, highlighting the need for coordinated efforts to mitigate environmental risks.

Prime Minister Shehbaz directed all federal institutions to work closely with provinces to remove hurdles in policy implementation and ensure effective coordination.

Referring to last year’s monsoon season, he noted that illegal encroachments along river paths and flood canals had worsened the impact of flooding, and said a more effective preventive strategy had been adopted this year to address the problem.

While emphasizing the importance of ensuring full functionality of early warning systems and provision of necessary digital monitoring infrastructure, the Prime Minister directed all departments to enhance their capacity and go beyond available resources to ensure public safety during potential floods.

Chief Minister Shehbaz directed the Ministry of Climate Change, Ministry of Planning and other relevant departments to take unified and practical measures in coordination with provincial governments.

The meeting was attended by federal ministers Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Climate Minister Musadik Malik and Finance Minister Aurangzeb along with senior officials and provincial chief secretaries.

Officials including National Disaster Management Authority Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, Water and Power Development Authority Chairman Lieutenant General Muhammad Saeed (retd), and representatives of the Ministry of Climate Change briefed the meeting on the measures taken in accordance with the Prime Minister’s directives.

Read more: EU announces €3 million increase in aid for Pakistan flood victims

The devastating floods that hit the country last year had caused an estimated damage of Rs 3,856 billion, while the economy faced an additional Rs 740 billion in potential losses, Planning Ministry officials revealed in October 2025. The NDMA in September 2025 revealed that at least 1,006 people had lost their lives during last year’s rains and floods.

NDMA figures show Punjab accounted for the highest number of deaths, with 304 fatalities, including 110 children, 143 men and 51 women. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) reported 504 deaths, including 90 children, 338 men and 76 women.

Sindh reported 80 deaths, including 35 children, while Balochistan confirmed 30 deaths. Gilgit-Baltistan lost 41 people, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) 38 and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) nine.

Flood-related incidents also left 1,063 people injured across the country. Punjab again recorded the highest number of injuries, with 661 people affected. KP reported 218 injuries, Sindh 87, GB 52, AJK 37, Balochistan five and ICT three.