300-day climate action plan on cards

Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Senator Musadik Malik said on Thursday his ministry is preparing 300-day implementation plan to confront the escalating impacts of climate change, including risks from monsoon rains and glacial melting.

Addressing a news conference, Malik said the action plan would be finalised in coordination with federal ministries, provincial governments, armed forces, NGOs, and welfare organisations.

"We must act within our own resources, with the support of our civil administration, welfare institutions, and armed forces to safeguard our children and communities," he stressed.

Flanked by Chairman NDMA Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, the minister noted that Prime Minister Sharif, during a cabinet meeting, declared both a national climate emergency and an agricultural emergency.

Malik explained the measures were preventive, aimed at reducing losses from next year's monsoon season and glacial melt. "This is not unique to Pakistan. The entire world is changing, and all nations must wake up to this reality," he said.

Detailing the government's flood response, Malik said more than 2.5 million people had been evacuated to safer areas in Punjab, while Sindh was receiving advanced warnings due to delayed water inflows.

"From Sialkot to Narowal, Lahore, Shahdara, Jhang, and Sargodha, two major flood waves have already been tracked, with one now approaching near Head Punjnad," he added.

Malik said the detailed climate action plan would be completed within a month, reiterating the government's commitment to resilience and preparedness. "We pray no such devastation ever comes again, but if it does, Pakistan will face it united, with preparation, resilience, and faith," he concluded.

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lt General Inam Haider Malik said on Thursday that the authority has delivered 9,500 tons of relief supplies to flood-affected areas in Punjab.

He said over 9,000 tents have been provided to Punjab as part of military contribution assistance. The overall relief package includes 30,000 tents, along with boats and ration kits, forming part of a large-scale humanitarian aid initiative.

The NDMA chairman said more than 2.4 million people have been evacuated from flood-prone villages across Punjab.

Over 5,000 villages are currently submerged. The rehabilitation process will begin in three to four weeks, once floodwaters recede and critical infrastructure such as roads and communication networks is restored.

In Sindh, he said relief operations have gained momentum with the unprecedented involvement of volunteers. So far, around 150,000 people have been relocated to safe locations, with more evacuations expected as weather conditions evolve.