K-P launches comprehensive disaster management plan to tackle climate risks

New roadmap focuses on preparedness, coordination, and risk reduction to minimize disaster losses

PESHAWAR:

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government formally launched the Provincial Disaster Management Plan (PDMP) 2025–2030, a comprehensive framework aimed at protecting the province from natural disasters and the growing impacts of climate change.

The launch ceremony was chaired by Provincial Minister for Relief Aqibullah Khan and Secretary of the Relief, Rehabilitation, and Settlement Department Sohail Khan. The event was attended by senior government officials, disaster management experts, development partners, and representatives of United Nations agencies, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the German development agency GIZ.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Sohail Khan said that K-P’s unique geographical features and climatic conditions make it highly vulnerable to a range of natural hazards, including floods, earthquakes, landslides, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), droughts, and other climate-induced disasters.

He informed participants that the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Policy has been developed with the support of the German government through GIZ Pakistan. The newly launched disaster management plan will be fully aligned with this policy.

He emphasised that the PDMP is not merely a policy document, but a practical and action-oriented roadmap designed to strengthen preparedness, improve planning, and ensure timely interventions. “The focus of this plan is to shift from reactive, post-disaster responses to proactive risk reduction measures in order to safeguard human lives, infrastructure, and livelihoods,” he said.

He added that the plan was developed through extensive consultations with national institutions, provincial departments, district administrations, civil society organisations, and international partners to ensure its effectiveness and relevance to ground realities.

Addressing the ceremony, Provincial Minister Aqibullah Khan said the plan would provide clear guidelines to all government departments and district administrations, while enhancing coordination and cooperation at every stage of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.

He stressed that effective implementation of the plan is essential in view of the increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters.

At the conclusion of the event, speakers noted that the Provincial Disaster Management Plan is a dynamic document that will be reviewed and updated periodically in line with evolving risks, changing climatic conditions, and emerging technologies, with the ultimate goal of making K-P a safer and more resilient province.