ISLAMABAD, September 11: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday announced that Pakistan would declare a climate and agriculture emergency after floods and torrential rains devastated large parts of the country, killing nearly 1,000 people, displacing thousands, and destroying major crops.
Chairing a cabinet meeting, the prime minister urged federal and provincial governments to work on a joint compensation plan for affected communities while warning that floodwaters were still moving towards Sindh province. “We cannot afford delays or complacency. Pakistan needs a comprehensive national roadmap on climate resilience and agricultural reforms,” he said.
Floods Cause Crop Losses, Displacement
Officials said initial assessments pointed to severe damage to wheat and cotton crops, with food security risks looming over the coming months. The prime minister noted that the impact of climate disasters was intensifying each year, making long-term reforms urgent.
China Visit Yields $8.5 Billion Investment Pledges
Shehbaz also shared details of his recent visit to China, calling the Beijing Business-to-Business (B2B) conference a “game-changer.” He said Chinese firms had pledged $8.5 billion in investments under CPEC Phase-II, while U.S. companies expressed interest in Pakistan’s mineral sector.
Condemnation of Israeli ‘Naked Aggression’
On international affairs, the prime minister condemned Israel’s airstrike on a residential compound in Doha, calling it “naked aggression and highly condemnable.” He said he had spoken to the Emir of Qatar to express Pakistan’s solidarity and repeated his government’s stance against the ongoing civilian deaths in Gaza.