GILGIT: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a relief package worth Rs4 billion for Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) on Monday, aiming to assist the region in recovering from the recent devastating floods. During his visit to the area, he also called for the establishment of an advanced weather alert system to minimize future damage from similar disasters.
The Prime Minister’s visit came after heavy rains, landslides, and flooding wreaked havoc in the northern and central regions of Pakistan, beginning in late June. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reports that these weather events have resulted in 299 deaths nationwide. In G-B, the floods have claimed at least 10 lives, left several tourists missing, and caused damages estimated at Rs20 billion. The G-B government declared a state of emergency in 37 affected areas, urging federal support.
At a relief cheque distribution ceremony in Gilgit, the Prime Minister offered condolences to grieving families and reassured them of the federal government’s continued assistance. He also directed that the repair of damaged roads and infrastructure be expedited, ensuring that all rebuilding efforts are climate-resilient.
Sharif stressed the importance of preparing for future floods by setting up early warning systems and constructing infrastructure that can withstand the challenges posed by climate change. He instructed the NDMA and the Ministry of Climate Change to jointly establish a forecasting and monitoring center in G-B within the coming months. Additionally, he called for an early warning system for Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) to be installed as soon as possible.
The Prime Minister also announced the establishment of Daanish Schools in the region and personally oversaw the solar power project that was recently approved for G-B. He met with local leadership, including G-B Governor Mehdi Shah and Chief Minister Gulbar Khan, to discuss the post-flood situation and ongoing recovery efforts.
