PM vows to boost water storage capacity

Express Tribune

2 days ago

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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday announced plans to boost the country's water storage capacity, citing India's attempts to weaponise water.
During a visit to the National Emergencies Operations Centre (NEOC), the prime minister said that an international court (Permanent Court of Arbitration) announced a supplemental order, emphasizing that India had no authority to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty unilaterally. "But the enemy has certain evil designs against Pakistan and wanted to take steps against the waters treaty," he said, adding in view of this, the government had decided to fast-track the non-controversial water storage capacity projects under Water Accord with the provinces, as the same had a legal provision in this regard.
He stressed that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had a critical role in this regard also.
The prime minister directed that weather warnings and calamity threats should be regularly issued through SMS and phone messages in collaboration with PTA.
In his remarks telecast on national TV channels, the prime minister recalled the devastating impact of the 2022 floods, which caused widespread suffering across the country.
The prime minister said that Pakistan, unfortunately, was among the countries most vulnerable to natural disasters such as cloudbursts, despite having contributed minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions.
He noted that in 2022, Pakistan suffered more than any other country due to climate-related disasters.
The prime minister also highlighted the threat posed by glacial melting triggered by heatwaves, emphasizing the need for the highest level of preparedness.
Referring to the recent tragedy in Swat, where precious lives were lost, he said the incident had cast a pall of gloom over the entire nation. He stressed the need for an honest review of the event and directed the formulation of a comprehensive prevention mechanism in collaboration with provincial governments to avert such tragedies in the future.
He also ordered the compilation of a detailed report on the incident.
The prime minister further noted that in the aftermath of the 2022 floods, relevant ministers engaged in negotiations for grants and public-private partnerships to support the development of resilient infrastructure across the country.
The prime minister appreciated the facility of NEOC and expressed the hope that the relevant authorities would fully utilize this resilient platform for the progress of the country's economy and social sectors.
He also assured complete support of the government in strengthening the institute and its capacity building.
The prime minster further appreciating the NDMA said that he was glad it had organized relief operations seamlessly to Turkiye and Myanmar.
He hoped that this world class facility was connected with the provinces, and with interventions like early warning system had been conveying the provinces the real time information.
During his visit, the prime minister was given a briefing by NDMA Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik over the current monsoon season, the floods situation and the precautionary measures taken in this regard.
Cultural institutions
The premier reiterated his government's strong commitment to preserving and enhancing the role of national institutions dedicated to science, literature, history, and culture, dispelling any speculation about their closure or merger under ongoing rightsizing efforts.
Speaking during a meeting with PML-N parliamentary party leader in the Senate Irfan Siddiqui, the premier emphasized the crucial role such institutions play in shaping the intellectual and cultural fabric of society, a statement from the PM Office said.
"The sources of knowledge and literature are the soul of society. We have a great capital of civilization and culture, of which the entire nation is rightly proud. The government is not considering implementing any proposal to close or merge national institutions of scientific, literary, historical and cultural importance. On the contrary, we will try to make these institutions stronger, effective and efficient," the premier said.
Iranian embassy visit
The prime minister expressed his deepest condolences to the people and Government of Iran, while reaffirming Pakistan's sympathy and solidarity with Iran during this difficult time.
He paid rich tributes to the resilience and courage of the Iranian nation while offering his prayers for those who had embraced martyrdom, as well as for the swift recovery of the injured.
The prime minister visited Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran to sign the condolence book opened by the Iranian mission to honour the martyrs and injured Iranians during the recent Israeli aggression against Iran.
He was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, SAPM Tariq Fatemi and the foreign secretary, the PM Office Media Wing said in a statement.
The premier was received by Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghaddam and his senior colleagues.
While assuring the Iranian side of Pakistan's consistent and continued support, the prime minister also conveyed his good wishes and respects for Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatullah Ali Khamenei, as well as for President Dr Massoud Pezeshkian.