Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has assured to extend maximum resources for capacity building of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) both in terms of human resource development and provision of necessary equipment.

He made the remarks during a visit to Emergencies Operation System (EOS) of NDMA here in Islamabad on Thursday. Describing the Emergencies Operation System of NDMA as a world class facility and a safety wall for the country, the Prime Minister said induction should be made in it purely on merit.

He said world class centers should be selected both inside and outside the country for the training of human resource in disaster preparedness and response. He said the government will bear the expenses for the training programs, highlighting it is an investment to save our future investments.

The Prime Minister also emphasized the importance of greater coordination between the center and the federating units to effectively deal with the challenge of climate change. The Ministry of Climate Change should play a proactive role in this regard.

Shehbaz Sharif said a comprehensive plan should be worked out in consultation with the provinces for the procurement of necessary equipment in order to ensure complete preparedness and readiness in the face of any calamity.

The Prime Minister also recalled the coordination exhibited by the provinces and the center during the 2022 floods saying this led to rehabilitation of millions of affected people.

Shehbaz Sharif mentioned that the government has set aside record development budget of eighty billion rupees for the IT sector. He said the aim is to train our youth with the latest skills.