PM Calls for Climate Change Measures During Visit to Flood-Hit Gilgit Baltistan

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the need for proactive measures to combat climate change during his visit to Gilgit Baltistan (GB) on Monday. The region has recently been affected by severe flooding and infrastructure damage due to torrential rains.

Expressing his sorrow over the loss of life and property, PM Shehbaz addressed the media during his visit to GB, where he assessed the devastation caused by the floods and heavy rainfall.

The Prime Minister highlighted the communication between federal bodies and the GB government, emphasizing the critical importance of addressing climate change and its associated risks.

“Climate change is impacting us every year. Addressing the challenges of climate change is essential,” the Prime Minister stated, recalling the extensive floods of 2022. He further mentioned that the Ministry of Climate Change has received directives to manage these issues effectively.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister, accompanied by Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Minister for Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Affairs Engineer Amir Muqam, Minister for Climate Change Dr Musadik Malik, and Adviser Rana Sanaullah, arrived in GB for a day-long assessment. Governor Mehdi Shah provided a briefing on the flood situation and the damages resulting from the recent heavy rains.

The Prime Minister received updates on the advancement of ongoing development projects, in addition to the law and order situation in the region.

The Prime Minister’s visit occurred amid a string of unfortunate incidents caused by continuous monsoon rains, which have resulted in at least 299 deaths nationwide, including 140 children.

In GB’s Babusar Valley, unexpected flash floods caused by cloudbursts swept away tourists and vehicles last week, leading to at least six fatalities and leaving several individuals missing.

In Chilas, Skardu, and adjacent areas, over 200 tourists were stranded due to landslides that obstructed major roadways, including key sections of the Karakoram Highway. Rescue operations conducted by the Pakistan Army and civil authorities successfully evacuated many of those stranded.

The Prime Minister also engaged in discussions with GB Chief Minister Gulbar Khan, covering the law and order situation and regional development initiatives. Additionally, he announced the establishment of Daanish Schools in the area.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued warnings for widespread heavy rainfall starting Monday and continuing until August 7.

According to the Met Office, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and GB are both susceptible to being impacted by this new bout of cloudbursts.

The PMD’s projections follow a month where the country experienced 23% more rainfall than usual in July 2025, along with a 0.1°C increase in the average temperature during the same period.

The Met Office noted that July is typically a rainy month, contributing significantly to the national annual and seasonal rainfall totals for July-September, accounting for 44.9% and 21.3%, respectively.

During the month, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab faced significant rainfall.

July 2025 recorded 77.7mm of rainfall, exceeding the average with a positive anomaly of +23% for Pakistan. Regional disparities were observed, with Punjab recording 163.50mm (+57%), making it the 8th wettest (with 244.9mm recorded in 1978), and Gilgit Baltistan, with 20.20mm (+52%), both observing rainfall largely above average.