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
https://arab.news/88x3j
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 saw 73% increase in combat-related deaths in 2025— think tank
- Pakistan reported 3,387 deaths thus year, among them 2,115 militants and 664 security forces personnel, says think tank
- Civilian deaths increased by 24% to 580 in 2025, compared to 468 in 2024, as Pakistan saw 1,063 militant attacks in 2025
ISLAMABAD: Combat-related deaths in Pakistan this year increased by 73%, with both security forces and militants suffering casualties in large numbers, a report published by an Islamabad-based think tank said on Sunday.
As per statistics released by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), combat-related deaths in 2025 rose 73% to 3,387, compared with 1,950 in 2024. These deaths included 2,115 militants, 664 security forces personnel, 580 civilians and 28 members of pro-government peace committees (combatants), the think tank said in a press release.
“Militants accounted for about 62% of total combat-related deaths, and their 2,115 fatalities represented the highest annual militant death toll since 2015, when 2,322 militants were killed,” PICSS said.
Compared to last year, militant deaths recorded a steep increase by 122% as the PICSS reported that 951 militants had been killed in 2024.
The think tank, however, said this year was also particularly bloody for Pakistani security forces. PICSS recorded 664 security personnel deaths in 2025, a 26% rise from 528 in 2024, and the highest annual figure since 2011, when 677 security forces personnel lost their lives.
Civilian deaths also increased by 24% to 580 in 2025, compared with 468 in 2024, marking the highest annual civilian toll since 2015, when 642 civilians were killed.
As per the PICSS report, at least 1,063 militant attacks took place in 2025, a 17% increase compared with 908 in 2024 and the highest annual total since 2014, when 1,609 militant attacks were recorded.
The report also noted a 53 percent increase in suicide attacks this year, with 26 such incidents reported in 2025 compared with 17 in 2024.
“PICSS noted an expanding trend in the use of small drones, including quadcopters, with 33 such incidents recorded during 2025, alongside increased use of unmanned aerial vehicles by security forces,” the report said.
The report noted an 83% rise in arrests of suspected militants, with 497 arrested in 2025 compared to 272 in 2024.
This 2025 figure is the highest annual total of suspected militants arrested since 2017, when 1,781 militants were either arrested or laid down their weapons.
“PICSS noted that most violence remained concentrated in Pashtun-majority districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the tribal districts (erstwhile FATA), and in Balochistan,” it said.
Pakistan has been grappling with a surge in militant attacks in its western provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, both bordering Afghanistan, this year.
Islamabad blames Afghanistan for providing sanctuaries to militants it alleges use Afghan soil to carry out attacks against Pakistan. Kabul denies the charges.
