PMD’s monitoring system upgrade facing delays

ISLAMABAD: Despite China agreeing to provide $200 million to the Pakistan Meteorological Department to upgrade its weather monitoring system earlier this year, so far no progress has been made in this regard.

“Even the PMD has not been officially informed about this new development and the procedure required for procuring the equipment, so far,” an official working closely with the project told The Express Tribune while requesting anonymity.



The official said: “Pakistan is under strong influence of climate change; therefore, considering the gravity of the situation there is a need to upgrade its weather monitoring system on a war-footing.”

“This project has already been delayed over six months due to the shortage of funds last year and later this year it has been made part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), but still there has been no progress in this regard.”



“Though under CPEC the majority of the road construction and power generation projects received funds well on time, this project seems to face delays,” said the official, adding, “It is because it is not on the priority list of the government.”

When contacted PMD chief Dr Ghulam Rasul said so far he had not been officially informed about the latest development, adding earlier this year Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms, Ahsan Iqbal had informed him verbally at an event.

Meanwhile, according to the officials of the Ministry of Planning, Development and Reforms: “The project is in its inception phase and funds will be released in later stages.”