The federal government on Friday formally activated its high-level Emergency Response Committee on Monsoon Preparedness, constituted on the directives of the prime minister, to strengthen nationwide disaster readiness and inter agency coordination for the 2026 monsoon season.
The committee, chaired by Planning Minister, Professor Ahsan Iqbal in its inaugural meeting via video link from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Headquarters, reviewed the country’s preparedness, emergency response framework and future climate risks, while approving the inclusion of all provincial chief secretaries as co-opted members.
The meeting was attended by Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Minister Musadik Malik, NDMA Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik, HI(M), along with representatives of key federal ministries, divisions and departments, said a news release issued here.
Opening the meeting, Prof Ahsan Iqbal underscored the committee’s role in ensuring effective national coordination and strengthening preparedness to deal with the ongoing monsoon season.
Established following the prime minister’s meeting on Early Warning Systems and Monsoon Preparedness on July 1, the committee has been tasked with overseeing national preparedness and emergency response coordination throughout the monsoon season.
The committee comprised the federal ministers for Planning, Climate Change, Communications, Power, Water Resources, National Food Security and Research, Information, and Information Technology and Telecommunication, along with the secretaries of the respective ministries, the NDMA chairman and the WAPDA chairman.
The Prime Minister’s Office has designated NDMA as the committee’s secretariat.
During the briefing, NDMA presented seasonal forecasts, the current national preparedness status and major incidents reported so far during the monsoon.
The participants reviewed the national coordination framework and discussed the implementation of responsibilities assigned under the Terms of Reference (TORs) issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
The committee unanimously approved the inclusion of the chief secretaries of all provinces as co-opted members to strengthen coordination.
The meeting also highlighted emerging climate-related challenges beyond the current monsoon season, warning that shrinking glaciers, prolonged droughts and below normal rainfall in many parts of the country could place severe stress on agriculture and pose serious food security risks.
Prof Ahsan Iqbal directed the Ministry of National Food Security and Research to work jointly with the National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) to prepare long range projections extending to 2027 for better national planning and response.
The committee stressed the need for proactive planning, timely preparedness measures and seamless coordination among all relevant institutions to reduce disaster risks and protect lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure.
The meeting concluded with participating ministries and organisations reaffirming their commitment to maintaining close coordination and ensuring a unified national response throughout the 2026 monsoon season.