Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the Iranian Embassy in Islamabad on Tuesday to express Pakistan’s solidarity with Iran following recent casualties caused by Israeli strikes. During the visit, he signed a condolence book in honor of those who lost their lives in the attacks.
Accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, and the Foreign Secretary, the Prime Minister was warmly received by Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moqadam and senior embassy officials.
Read more: Iran Vows to Rebuild Nuclear Program After Strikes, Says Science Cannot Be Bombed Away
PM Shehbaz offered heartfelt condolences and praised the resilience and bravery of the Iranian people during these difficult times. He prayed for the swift recovery of the injured and conveyed his best wishes for Iran’s supreme leader and president. Reaffirming Pakistan’s close ties with Iran, he assured continued support and cooperation.
PM Reviews NDMA’s Disaster Preparedness
Later in the day, Prime Minister Sharif visited the headquarters of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in Islamabad. He was briefed on the agency’s efforts to tackle the increasing risks of natural disasters and climate change.
Recalling the destruction caused by the 2022 floods, which devastated crops and displaced thousands, the PM acknowledged the NDMA’s transformation and its adoption of modern technologies for disaster response. He commended the authority for improving early warning systems and public outreach.
PM Shehbaz emphasized that Pakistan, despite its minimal contribution to global carbon emissions, faces severe impacts from climate change. He noted that NDMA plays a crucial role in enhancing national awareness and strengthening disaster risk reduction strategies.
He also called for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors to help Pakistan achieve sustainable development in the face of environmental challenges. Committing to increase investment in water conservation, he pledged that Pakistan would mobilize internal resources to protect its vital water assets.
Touching upon regional water issues, the Prime Minister criticized India’s attempts to manipulate water flow and hailed the recent International Court of Justice ruling, which upheld the sanctity of the Indus Waters Treaty. He described the verdict as a major diplomatic success for Pakistan.
Finally, PM Shehbaz expressed sorrow over the recent loss of lives in Swat and vowed to further improve national capacity to handle future disasters effectively.
