Key Takeaways
- Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, highlights climate change and population growth as existential challenges.
- Discussion focuses on disaster preparedness, climate resilience, and strengthening Pakistan’s capacity to manage climate-related risks.
- NDMA briefs on long-range climate forecasting and initiatives for proactive risk reduction.
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, met with outgoing Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, and incoming Chairman, Lieutenant General Hasan Khattak, to discuss disaster preparedness and climate resilience.
Senator Aurangzeb emphasized that climate change and population growth are Pakistan’s two existential challenges, with significant implications for economic stability, food security, and public finances.
During the meeting, Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik briefed the Finance Minister on Pakistan’s long-range climate forecasting system, which can provide outlooks up to 12 months ahead.
The Finance Minister stressed the importance of translating forecasting into timely decisions and effective early-warning measures to protect vulnerable communities.
The discussion also highlighted the need to integrate long-range forecasts with shorter-term monitoring by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) to ensure timely communication and action.
NDMA leadership outlined initiatives such as the Global Resilience Hub and the Next Generation Technologies initiative, aimed at shifting Pakistan from a reactive disaster-response model towards proactive, technology-driven risk reduction.
Senator Aurangzeb underscored the importance of building sustainable national expertise in climate science and forecasting, supported by clear institutional ownership, structured training, and specialised technical personnel.
The Finance Minister highlighted the need to ensure continuity of expertise and strengthen institutional capacity to support long-term climate adaptation, mitigation, and disaster-risk management.
He also expressed appreciation for Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik’s contributions and conveyed his best wishes to Lieutenant General Hasan Khattak as he assumes responsibility for leading the Authority.
