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Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Climate
- Business Recorder
PM Shehbaz visits flood-hit areas of Gilgit-Baltistan
GILGIT: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited flood-hit areas of Gilgit-Baltistan on Monday, where he expressed deep concern over the devastation caused by recent monsoon rains. He stressed that although Pakistan's role in climate change is minimal, the country continues to suffer disproportionately from global warming. He also chaired a meeting to review the damages, relief operations, and rehabilitation from the recent floods. During his one-day visit, the PM was briefed by Gilgit-Baltistan Governor Syed Mehdi Shah and Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan on the aftermath of the devastation caused by the recent rains and floods, which impacted both tourists and locals. Shehbaz Sharif expressed regret over the loss of lives and damage to property, calling it a 'national tragedy.' Nine die in floods across Gilgit-Baltistan, says official 'Despite our negligible contribution to environmental degradation, Pakistan is among the countries most affected by global warming,' the PM said. He also said the entire nation, including himself, was saddened by the losses across the country, especially in GB. 'The destruction caused by global warming, whether it is in Diamer, Ganche or other areas. Pakistan is among the top 10 countries in the world facing this destruction and losses as a result of global warming.' Urgent climate strategy and funding demanded Shehbaz directed the climate change minister to immediately prepare a national strategy to combat climate impacts and secure international funds for mitigation and adaptation. He also ordered the establishment of modern infrastructure for weather forecasting, relief preparations, and dealing with natural disasters. 'I've asked the Climate Change Ministry to act swiftly. We need to bring in funds and take serious steps to adapt,' he said. Shehbaz Sharif lauded the efforts of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the Ministry of Communications and other institutions for the prompt restoration of highways and the safe transfer of stranded people. The meeting was briefed that the July 21 cloudburst in Gilgit-Baltistan caused damage to tourists and the local population. Over 600 people were rescued and the affected highways were reopened shortly after. Five tent settlements were set up for the rescue operation, while 10 helicopters and two C-130 aircraft were used to transport people to safer places, the meeting was told. The prime minister instructed authorities to: Complete damage surveys of highways and infrastructure; Restore communication links in affected regions on priority; Ensure coordination between NDMA and provincial institutions during emergencies; Accelerate rehabilitation for monsoon-affected communities. Reaffirming his commitment to disaster resilience, Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the importance of long-term planning and readiness in the face of climate-induced natural disasters, especially in vulnerable regions like Gilgit-Baltistan. Federal ministers Abdul Aleem Khan, Attaullah Tarar, Amir Muqam, and Mosaddeq Malik were also present during the high-level briefing and review session.


Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Climate
- Business Recorder
PM visits flood-hit areas of G-B
GILGIT: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited flood-hit areas of Gilgit-Baltistan on Monday, where he expressed deep concern over the devastation caused by recent monsoon rains. He stressed that although Pakistan's role in climate change is minimal, the country continues to suffer disproportionately from global warming. He also chaired a meeting to review the damages, relief operations, and rehabilitation from the recent floods. During his one-day visit, the PM was briefed by Gilgit-Baltistan Governor Syed Mehdi Shah and Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan on the aftermath of the devastation caused by the recent rains and floods, which impacted both tourists and locals. Shehbaz Sharif expressed regret over the loss of lives and damage to property, calling it a 'national tragedy.' Nine die in floods across Gilgit-Baltistan, says official 'Despite our negligible contribution to environmental degradation, Pakistan is among the countries most affected by global warming,' the PM said. He also said the entire nation, including himself, was saddened by the losses across the country, especially in GB. 'The destruction caused by global warming, whether it is in Diamer, Ganche or other areas. Pakistan is among the top 10 countries in the world facing this destruction and losses as a result of global warming.' Urgent climate strategy and funding demanded Shehbaz directed the climate change minister to immediately prepare a national strategy to combat climate impacts and secure international funds for mitigation and adaptation. He also ordered the establishment of modern infrastructure for weather forecasting, relief preparations, and dealing with natural disasters. 'I've asked the Climate Change Ministry to act swiftly. We need to bring in funds and take serious steps to adapt,' he said. Shehbaz Sharif lauded the efforts of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the Ministry of Communications and other institutions for the prompt restoration of highways and the safe transfer of stranded people. The meeting was briefed that the July 21 cloudburst in Gilgit-Baltistan caused damage to tourists and the local population. Over 600 people were rescued and the affected highways were reopened shortly after. Five tent settlements were set up for the rescue operation, while 10 helicopters and two C-130 aircraft were used to transport people to safer places, the meeting was told. The prime minister instructed authorities to: Complete damage surveys of highways and infrastructure; Restore communication links in affected regions on priority; Ensure coordination between NDMA and provincial institutions during emergencies; Accelerate rehabilitation for monsoon-affected communities. Reaffirming his commitment to disaster resilience, Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the importance of long-term planning and readiness in the face of climate-induced natural disasters, especially in vulnerable regions like Gilgit-Baltistan. Federal ministers Abdul Aleem Khan, Attaullah Tarar, Amir Muqam, and Mosaddeq Malik were also present during the high-level briefing and review session.


Business Recorder
15-05-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
Govt School Skardu: Nestlé Pakistan inaugurates N4HK room
LAHORE: Nestlé Pakistan inaugurated the Nestlé for Healthier Kids (N4HK) room at the Government Model Boys High School Hussainabad, Skardu, making it the fifth N4HK room in Gilgit-Baltistan, to foster and promote nutrition awareness in the region. The N4HK program is part of Nestlé's global nutritional awareness initiative to ensure that children understand the value of nutrition as they grow older. To date, over 500 teachers have been trained in Hunza, Gilgit, Nagar, Skardu, Shigar, and Kharmang, with the goal of positively impacting more than 20,000 children through the N4HK program in the region, said a press release issued here Wednesday. Inaugurating the room, Governor Gilgit Baltistan, Syed Mehdi Shah said, 'Nestlé's N4HK program has been instrumental in creating awareness about nutrition in our schools and communities and we are delighted at its expansion in GB for the welfare of our communities.' He also reaffirmed the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan's commitment to further supporting and expanding the nutrition awareness program across the region. Talking on the occasion, Jason Avanceña, CEO, Nestlé Pakistan said, 'The N4HK program outreach across Pakistan is an endorsement of Nestlé's endeavour to promote healthy nutrition in the country and we are pleased to strengthen our partnership with the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan. So far, the N4HK program has reached out to 400,000 kids, trained more than 2600 teachers and has developed 20 N4HK Rooms with 11 partners from private and public sector across Pakistan.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025