ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed relevant authorities to set up a task force on climate change that would prepare a comprehensive strategy to mitigate its impact, said an official statement circulated in Islamabad.
Pakistan is the fifth most vulnerable country to climate change in the world. It is also at risk of water scarcity which can negatively impact its agricultural sector despite being home to some of the largest reserves of glaciers.
Last week, a strategic bridge in the country’s northern region of Hunza was destroyed after Shishper Glacier started melting more rapidly, causing a massive flood in the area.
The prime minister chaired an emergency meeting in which he decided to establish the task force with relevant federal ministers, provincial chief secretaries and other officials.
“The task force will develop a comprehensive strategy to mitigate the effects of climate change in the country, prevent future events such as the Shiper Glacier Incident, take measures to prevent food and water shortages, conserve water and protect existing reservoirs and conserve forests,” said the statement.
Sharif instructed the body to hold its first meeting on Monday evening to prepare a report on the subject.
He was also briefed in detail about the ongoing heatwave in the country.
The prime minister directed to launch a public awareness campaign for water conservation, instructing officials to take immediate measures to store rainwater before the next monsoon.
He discussed water shortage in Cholistan, a large desert region where residents frequently suffer due to lack of food and water security.
He said that immediate supply of water for human settlements and animals must be ensured in the area.
The prime minister also instructed the chairman of National Disaster Management Authority to visit Hunza and ensure the construction of the fallen bridge immediately.
He also directed the education ministry to take measures to protect school going children from the adverse impact of heat wave in the country.
Amid record-breaking heatwave, Pakistan sets up task force on climate change
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Amid record-breaking heatwave, Pakistan sets up task force on climate change
- The PM decided to set up the body while chairing an emergency meeting on heat wave
- Sharif also directed officials to launch a public awareness campaign for water conservation
Pakistan says it seized 32 square kilometers inside Afghanistan as border clashes escalate
- Security official describes ‘limited tactical action’ in Gudwana after Afghan assaults
- Islamabad accuses Kabul of sheltering militants as UN, China and Russia urge restraint
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has seized a 32-square-kilometer area inside Afghanistan following overnight fighting, a security official said on Saturday, as cross-border clashes between the two countries escalated sharply.
A Pakistani security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said troops carried out a “limited tactical action” in the Gudwana area opposite the Zhob sector along the frontier, capturing Afghan territory after responding to attacks on Pakistani positions.
“On the night of Feb. 26/27, posts opposite the Zhob sector launched anticipated physical attacks on multiple Pakistani positions,” the official said, referring to fighters linked to Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities, whom Islamabad identifies as Tehreek-e-Taliban Afghanistan (TTA).
“In response to aggressive unprovoked fire and physical attacks, Pakistan security forces launched a limited tactical action on the night of Feb. 27/28 in the general area of Gudwana with a view to capture TTA Tahir Post,” he continued, adding that 32 square kilometers of Afghan territory were seized.
The official said special combat teams crossed the border after preparatory bombardment, supported by intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets providing “real-time battlefield awareness.”
He said 24 Afghan Taliban fighters were killed and 37 wounded, with no Pakistani casualties reported.
The claims could not be independently verified, and there was no immediate confirmation from Taliban authorities in Kabul of any territorial loss in the Gudwana area.
The latest clashes erupted after Pakistani airstrikes targeted what Islamabad described as militant hideouts inside Afghanistan over the weekend, triggering retaliatory fire along the frontier and sharply escalating long-running tensions. Islamabad accuses Kabul of sheltering Pakistani Taliban militants responsible for attacks inside Pakistan, an allegation that Afghanistan denies.
Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Saturday evening that 352 Afghan Taliban fighters had been killed and more than 535 wounded since the latest phase of hostilities began.
Tarar said Pakistani strikes had destroyed 130 check posts, 171 tanks and armored vehicles and targeted 41 locations across Afghanistan by air. Those figures could not be independently verified.
The United Nations, as well as China and Russia, have called for restraint.
The United States said Pakistan has the right to defend itself against cross-border militancy.
