Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said the increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related events underscored the urgent need for greater preparedness, resilience and closer coordination among national, regional and international stakeholders to effectively respond to disasters.
Talking to United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher who called on him at the Prime Minister House, he appreciated the invaluable humanitarian work being undertaken by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in responding to complex emergencies across the world.
He acknowledged OCHA’s continued support to Pakistan, particularly during the devastating floods of 2022, and thanked the organization for its assistance in strengthening the country’s disaster response efforts.
The prime minister noted that Pakistan’s national and provincial disaster management institutions had significantly enhanced their capacity to respond to climate-induced disasters over the years.
Tom Fletcher thanked the prime minister for receiving him and appreciated the longstanding partnership and close cooperation between Pakistan and OCHA.
He also commended the Prime Minister’s efforts to promote regional peace and stability, noting that sustainable peace was essential to addressing the humanitarian and economic consequences of conflicts.
During the meeting, Mr. Fletcher briefed the prime minister on the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the challenges being faced by OCHA in delivering urgently needed assistance to the affected population. He also expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s continued support to OCHA’s humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan.
The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to working closely with the United Nations and OCHA to strengthen global humanitarian cooperation, enhance disaster preparedness, and support relief efforts for vulnerable communities affected by conflicts and natural disasters.
Separately, Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that the agriculture and livestock sectors have the potential to significantly strengthen the national economy within a year through modern technology, scientific research, and coordinated federal and provincial efforts, as he unveiled an ambitious reform agenda for the country’s livestock sector.
Addressing the national seminar titled “Harnessing Pakistan’s Livestock Potential” after inaugurating the Pakistan Animal Identification and Traceability System (PAITS), the prime minister said Pakistan possessed abundant natural resources, fertile land, water and hardworking farmers but had failed to fully exploit its agricultural and livestock potential due to outdated practices and inadequate value addition.
He noted that Pakistan is the world’s fourth-largest milk producer but continues to underperform in dairy and meat exports due to weak disease control, poor traceability and limited processing infrastructure.
He stressed that improving livestock productivity, adopting modern farming practices and enhancing value addition were essential to expanding exports and strengthening the economy.
The prime minister announced that the government would send another 1,000 agriculture graduates from all four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir to China for advanced agricultural training. The initiative follows the successful completion of an earlier programme under which 1,000 graduates received specialised training in modern farming techniques and international best practices.
He directed that the lessons learned from the first batch be fully incorporated into the next phase and reiterated the need for close cooperation between the federation and provinces despite agriculture being a devolved subject under the 18th Constitutional Amendment.
PM Shehbaz Sharif also announced full federal funding for the indigenous development of a Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine. He said that the project would be professionally managed through outsourcing to meet international standards.
While congratulating officials on organising the national seminar, the prime minister described livestock reform as a long-term national endeavour requiring consensus and collaboration between the federal and provincial governments. Welcoming representatives from across the country, he emphasised that Pakistan must now focus on practical implementation rather than rhetoric to unlock the sector’s true potential.
Moreover, Sharif on Wednesday said the business community was the backbone of the national economy and should be provided with every possible facility to enhance production and boost exports.
Chairing a meeting to review the affairs of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the prime minister directed the Board to work closely with the business community and resolve their legitimate concerns on a priority basis. He also instructed senior FBR officials to visit Karachi during the first week of every month to maintain direct engagement with the business community and ensure the prompt resolution of their issues.