ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government has allocated Rs1.6 billion for the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) to boost its weather forecasting, disaster preparedness, and climate resilience under the Annual Plan 2026–27.
The allocation includes Rs344 million for a proposed National Centre for Rainfall Enhancement to support water security, climate adaptation and agricultural productivity.
The plan also earmarks Rs195 million for a weather surveillance radar project in Multan and Rs5 million for a similar project in Sukkur to improve real-time weather monitoring and early warning systems.
Another Rs1 billion has been allocated for the Modernisation of Hydromet Services in Pakistan project, which aims to upgrade hydrometeorological infrastructure, improve forecasting accuracy and strengthen climate data systems.
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination is set to receive Rs2.5 billion, with funding focused on forestry, biodiversity conservation, afforestation and ecosystem restoration.
Among the key initiatives are the Pakistan Climate Innovation and Green Growth Initiative, which seeks to equip young people with green skills and support climate-focused entrepreneurship through a Green Innovation Fund, and a National Forest and Tree Cover Assessment using remote sensing and machine learning to improve forest monitoring and restoration.
The government also plans to promote climate-smart agriculture, efficient water management, disaster risk reduction, green industrialisation, circular economy initiatives, and the development of domestic carbon markets to support sustainable economic growth.
The emphasis on resilience comes as Pakistan faces increasing climate-related risks. The Annual Plan notes that major floods in 2010, 2011, 2014, 2022, and 2025 caused widespread loss of life and extensive damage to infrastructure and livelihoods.
Citing a 2022 World Bank report, the plan says Pakistan incurs average annual losses of around $2 billion from floods and earthquakes. Without stronger climate adaptation measures, those losses could rise to $250 billion by 2030 and $1.2 trillion by 2050, with damages in key sectors reaching up to 30% of GDP in a severe disaster year.
