Govt declares climate, agriculture emergencies following flood devastation

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced the enforcement of climate and agriculture emergencies across Pakistan in response to heavy monsoon rains and widespread flooding that have devastated the country. The decision was approved during a federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad on Wednesday.

Shehbaz warned that recent monsoon rains and floods had caused widespread destruction, killing over 900 people, displacing thousands and submerging vast tracts of farmland.

Addressing the cabinet, he said assessments were under way to determine losses to key crops such as wheat and cotton. “The danger is not yet over as the flood deluge is moving towards Sindh province,” he said in remarks broadcast on national television.

The prime minister stressed that federal and provincial governments would share responsibility in compensating victims. “Considering the climate change impacts, we should come up with a programme as we are confronted with huge challenges which cannot be overcome overnight,” he said.

Turning to foreign policy, Shehbaz hailed his recent visit to China, where he said Pakistan had secured $8.5 billion worth of agreements at a business-to-business investment conference.

He described the event as “very effective and good,” adding that China would cover 85% of investment in new projects under the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

He said agriculture would be a central focus of CPEC-II, while US companies had also shown interest in investing in Pakistan’s mining and minerals sector using modern technology. “We are keen on improving ties with the US, besides strengthening strategic partnership with China,” Shehbaz said.

The prime minister warned his cabinet against delays and complacency in following up on agreements. “I will not allow the status quo, any kind of complacency, or inordinate delays which have marked the country’s history in the last seven and a half decades,” he said.

Shehbaz also paid tribute to Major Adnan Aslam, who was killed in an operation against terrorists in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. He denounced social media campaigns against the armed forces as “fitna” that must be “crushed.” “Such repugnant attitude towards the armed forces is unbearable,” he said.

The cabinet offered prayers for relatives of government officials who had recently passed away. Officials said the enforcement of climate and agriculture emergencies is aimed at tackling the country’s growing climate challenges and supporting farmers whose livelihoods have been badly hit.

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“This is a collective challenge. Cooperation from all provincial stakeholders, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, will be essential,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry told reporters.

He said the federal government would play its part while provinces and regions contribute their share. Chaudhry added that a meeting with provincial stakeholders would be convened immediately to coordinate relief and recovery efforts.

Turning to foreign policy, Chaudhry described Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to China as a success, saying it opened “a new era of cooperation” between Islamabad and Beijing. He noted the prime minister also held “friendly and constructive” engagements with world leaders.