Gilgit: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday announced an Rs4 billion package to support the reconstruction of infrastructure in Gilgit-Baltistan following a series of destructive floods that have ravaged the region since late June.
During a one-day visit to GB, the premier assessed flood damage firsthand, met with affected families, and distributed compensation cheques to those who lost loved ones.
His visit comes in the wake of a deadly cloudburst that triggered flash floods and landslides, particularly in the Babusar area on July 21.
The disaster has so far claimed at least 10 lives, mostly tourists—while several more remain unaccounted for.
Speaking at a ceremony in Chilas, the Prime Minister said the natural disaster was a grim reminder of the intensifying effects of climate change in Pakistan.
“We are among the 10 countries most vulnerable to climate change,” he remarked, adding that the federal and GB governments must work hand-in-hand to confront this growing threat.
Shehbaz said the Rs4 billion fund would be used to assess and restore damaged infrastructure.
He also announced that a 100-megawatt solar power project in the region would soon become operational, and laid the foundation stone for a new Daanish School to expand educational access.
“We cannot afford delays. Every step to protect lives and livelihoods must be taken on time,” he stressed, directing the early implementation of an advanced weather alert system across GB.
To prevent future tragedies, the Prime Minister ordered authorities to resettle at-risk communities currently living in natural flood pathways and fast-track the establishment of a dedicated climate monitoring and forecasting center in the region.
He said the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), along with the Ministry of Climate Change, will lead the initiative.
He also called on the NDMA to complete comprehensive mapping of flood-affected areas and submit a detailed report ahead of his next visit to GB later in August.
Addressing the affected families directly, PM Shehbaz said: “I am not here just for formality. I will keep returning until every displaced person is back in a safe home.”
Chief Minister GB Haji Gulbar Khan thanked the Prime Minister for his swift response and detailed the region’s rescue and relief operations.
Meanwhile, Minister for Kashmir Affairs and GB Engineer Amir Muqam praised the federal government’s commitment, highlighting that the annual budget for GB has now increased to Rs186 billion, a significant rise compared to previous years.
Earlier in the day, PM Shehbaz also chaired a review meeting on the flood situation, where he described the destruction in Diamer and surrounding areas as “deeply unfortunate.”
He instructed officials to establish a reliable seasonal forecasting system specifically for tourist zones and emphasized moving vulnerable populations away from high-risk areas.
