Senate Committee Slams GB, AJK for Weak Disaster Response, Calls for Urgent Reforms
A Senate committee on Friday slammed the administrations of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) over their inadequate disaster preparedness, particularly their failure to act on early warnings from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
The Senate Standing Committee on Kashmir Affairs, GB and SAFRON, chaired by Senator Asad Qasim, expressed displeasure at the absence of the GB chief secretary, deferring GB-related agenda items until senior officials attend.
During the session, officials briefed senators on monsoon damage in AJK, where nine heavy rain spells since June 26 and a May cloudburst have killed 28 people, destroyed over 2,100 homes, and damaged key infrastructure, including schools, roads and power supply networks.
Senators criticised local administrations for allowing tourists into vulnerable areas despite NDMA alerts and noted the lack of early warning systems in disaster-prone zones.
The committee recommended installing warning systems every 100km across AJK.
Concerns were also raised over the use of Rs3 billion in relief funds, with calls for an ad hoc oversight body to ensure transparency.
Lawmakers further highlighted poor telecom services in remote areas, urging that the Universal Services Fund be utilised to expand coverage in tourist and disaster-hit regions.
