Federal Climate Change Minister Dr Musadik Malik on Saturday called for wider use of satellite technology, artificial intelligence and digital modelling to strengthen Pakistan’s disaster preparedness and shield vulnerable communities from climate-related hazards.
Speaking at the closing of an international conference on leveraging space technology for early warning, climate action and disaster risk assessment, he linked Musadik Malik climate change priorities to practical tools that can map risk before the next monsoon and guide land-use decisions on scientific evidence rather than economic or political influence.
Satellite report planned before monsoon
The minister said the government would work towards an annual satellite-based report ahead of the next monsoon season. The aim, he said, is to identify construction and human activity in riverbeds and floodplains so authorities can see where people and buildings sit in harm’s way.
He argued that satellite evidence can pinpoint vulnerable locations and support land-use planning and disaster-risk reduction. In plain terms, that means using images from space to show where rivers and flood zones are being built over, then using that proof when deciding what should—or should not—be allowed there.
Warnings must reach people at risk
Dr Musadik Malik stressed location-specific early-warning systems. Issuing a general alert is not enough, he said, unless it reaches those directly exposed to a hazard. “A warning without an address is addressed to no one,” he said, calling for a mechanism so residents, tourists and communities in vulnerable mountain areas get timely notices.
He referred to a flood incident in which a family was caught in rapidly rising water despite an earlier warning, saying scientific forecasts must be turned into steps that save lives. He also pointed to reported deaths of around 4,600 people in Karachi during a week-long heatwave, asking why such losses continue when scientific information and weather forecasting already exist. Disaster preparedness, he said, needs follow-up after a warning—much as doctors monitor patients after diagnosis and treatment.
Digital models, AI and university innovation
On digital modelling, he said “digital twins”—computer copies of real places and buildings—could help assess risks from building collapses, weak construction standards, poor zoning and inadequate drainage. Satellite data, he added, can show land use and environmental change so officials can spot risks and set policy with clearer evidence.
He called for greater use of artificial intelligence and advanced computing to speed research and improve disaster-risk assessments. Referring to a recently launched $10 million Green Innovation Startup Fund, he invited universities, research bodies and young innovators to use satellite data for practical climate solutions. He especially encouraged NUST, LUMS, Aga Khan University and international universities to build applications that support preparedness, urging scientists to focus on protecting vulnerable people so rescue remains a last resort, not the first response.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Wazeer Musadik Malik ne kaha ke Pakistan ko satelite, AI aur digital models se disasters se pehle taiyari karni chahiye. Sarkaar agli monsoon se pehle darya kinaron aur flood areas ki satelite report banane ka irada rakhti hai. Unhone kaha ke warning tabhi kaam ki hai jab seedha khatre walon tak pahunche. Is se ordinary logon ke liye matlab yeh hai ke behtar maps aur alerts floods aur heatwave jaise khatron mein jaan bachane mein madad kar sakte hain.
