Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has offered technical and other assistance to Nepal as the Himalayan country grapples with the devastating impact of floods and other climate-induced disasters.
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Musadik Malik conveyed the offer during a meeting with Nepal’s Ambassador to Pakistan Rita Dhital on Wednesday.
“Pakistan stands with Nepal. Nepal is not alone,” the minister said, expressing condolences over the loss of life and destruction caused by the disaster.
Musadik Malik said Pakistan was ready to assist Nepal in ongoing search, rescue and recovery efforts, adding that the scale and complexity of the crisis called for the use of all available resources, including satellite imagery, drones and artificial intelligence. “Whatever we are trying to do for our people is at your disposal,” he told the ambassador.
The minister stressed the need for greater regional cooperation to deal with climate-related disasters, particularly glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).
“We cannot fight nature, but we can reduce its impact,” he said, calling for cooperation between upstream and downstream countries to develop early-warning systems, risk assessments and other mechanisms to protect vulnerable communities.
He said Pakistan was willing to share its experience and data, including its GLOF-risk inventory, with Nepal and work with it on disaster preparedness and climate resilience.
The meeting also covered the economic consequences of the floods, with Musadik Malik noting that damage to roads and other infrastructure had disrupted connectivity and placed an additional burden on Nepal’s economy.
He called for a rethink of international climate-financing mechanisms, saying developing countries with limited resources could not absorb losses of such magnitude on their own. “People need support now,” he said.
Musadik Malik said climate-induced loss and damage needed greater attention at the UN climate conference (COP), adding that he would raise the concerns of vulnerable developing countries at the forum.
He also conveyed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s concern over the situation in Nepal and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to extending support.
The two sides discussed cooperation in climate science, GLOF monitoring, risk assessment, disaster preparedness, early-warning systems and the use of technology in rescue and recovery operations.
Rita Dhital appreciated Pakistan’s expression of solidarity and support.
