ISLAMABAD:
The early warning system installed in Gilgit-Baltistan for Glacial Lake Flood Protection (GLOF) remained inactive.
This was revealed during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to review pre-monsoon preparedness and climate-related risks.
Realizing this, the Prime Minister ordered a high-level inquiry into the non-functional and ordered all relevant institutions to accelerate coordinated preparations ahead of the upcoming monsoon season.
The Prime Minister expressed deep displeasure over the continued inactivity of the early warning system despite clear directives issued last year.
He warned that negligence and weak institutional performance would not be tolerated and emphasized that protecting citizens from environmental hazards remains a fundamental responsibility of all departments, according to a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office.
The Prime Minister directed federal ministries and provincial governments to remove obstacles hindering policy implementation and ensure full operationalization of digital monitoring infrastructure for early warning systems.
During the meeting, NDMA, WAPDA and Ministry of Climate Change briefed the Prime Minister on the progress made in accordance with earlier directives. The session was attended by senior federal ministers, advisors, provincial chief secretaries and senior officials of relevant departments.
Energy security
Terming energy security as a vital part of the country’s future planning, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said the government’s timely measures regarding energy conservation in the current regional situation averted a crisis.
The Prime Minister, chairing a high-level meeting on energy security, said a plan was being worked on to maintain strategic crude oil reserves in the country, taking into account future energy needs.
Furthermore, he said that for energy conservation and sustainable development, transportation modes should gradually shift to eco-friendly electric vehicles (EVs).
The prime minister ordered to purchase only electric buses and motorcycles for government use in the future and accelerate the establishment of charging stations for electric vehicles.
Calling for a strategy to facilitate the procurement of batteries for storing surplus solar electricity, he said local manufacturing of high-quality storage batteries should also be encouraged.
During the briefing, meeting participants were informed that the National Coordination and Management Council (NCMC) was reviewing the energy situation on a daily basis.
It was reported that sufficient reserves of petroleum products were available and the food security situation in the country was also stable.
Pakistani astronauts
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday met Pakistani astronauts Khurram Daud and Muhammad Zeeshan Ali, selected for a manned space mission, and described their participation in space research as a historic achievement for the country and a matter of national pride.
Astronaut Attaché Hasnain Iftikhar of Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) was also present during the meeting held here at the Prime Minister’s Office, according to a press release.
