Today we are observing National Resilience Day, which reminds us of the devastating earthquake of October 8, 2005, that claimed thousands of lives. The destruction it brought to our cities and villages remains etched in our memory. However, amid this catastrophe, our nation displayed an unparalleled spirit of resilience and unity and generously helped the affected people.
Today, I also wish to extend my deepest gratitude to the international community, friendly countries, civil society, welfare and charity organizations that extended their invaluable support in the aftermath of this earthquake. Their support and solidarity not only helped us rebuild our roads, education, health and other infrastructure but also gave hope to the affected people, enabling them to rebuild their lives.
In recent years, the looming threat of climate change has made Pakistan more vulnerable to natural disasters. Rising temperatures, unpredictable weather patterns, and extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, heatwaves, and landslides pose a potential threat to the infrastructure and lives of our people.
As the frequency and intensity of climate-related calamities has increased in Pakistan, it has become essential to invest in the capacity building of our national and provincial disaster management authorities and enhance their disaster preparedness. We need to equip our relevant institutions with the latest technologies, expertise, and resources to effectively respond to emerging challenges. Improving early warning systems, enhancing coordination among national and provincial authorities, and adopting modern disaster mitigation strategies should be our key priorities to timely respond to threats. Additionally, we must focus on constructing climate-resilient infrastructure to mitigate the impacts of climate change. We also need to educate our people about disaster risk management, and mitigation, and actively engage our communities to promote a culture of disaster preparedness.
This National Resilience Day reminds us that the Pakistani nation has displayed extraordinary resilience in the face of challenges and has always emerged stronger. I am sure that if we continue to work with the spirit of unity and resilience, we can overcome the challenges facing our country.
Not to be published/broadcast/telecast before 8th October 2024
