Musadik calls for accurate early warnings to identify disasters
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr Musadik Malik has called for shifting Pakistan’s disaster management approach from reactive response to preventive action, stressing that satellite technology, artificial intelligence and accurate early warning systems must be used to identify potential disasters before they cause loss of life and property.…
ISLAMABAD - Federal Climate Change and Environmental Coordinator Dr Musadik Malik has urged Pakistan to transition its disaster management strategy from reactive to preventive, highlighting the importance of satellite technology, artificial intelligence, and precise early warning systems in averting potential disasters. Speaking at the conclusion of the five-day Pakistan-UN International Conference on Space Technology for Climate Action and Early Warning Systems, Malik stressed that warnings must be precise and delivered directly to communities at risk.
"A warning without an address is a warning addressed to no one," he emphasized, advocating for location-specific alerts over broad regional forecasts. Drawing a parallel with cardiology, Malik likened early diagnosis and timely intervention to the prevention of serious health complications, suggesting that scientific monitoring, satellite imagery, radar, hyperspectral data, and predictive models could similarly mitigate disaster risks instead of relying solely on rescue operations.
He proposed annual satellite-based evaluations of floodplains and encroachments, enhanced coordination among relevant agencies, more accurate mapping of disaster-prone regions, and greater engagement of young innovators in crafting technological solutions. Malik stressed the necessity for Pakistan to convert its burgeoning space capabilities and scientific data into actionable interventions aimed at safeguarding vulnerable populations, stating that rescue operations should be a last resort rather than the primary response.
The five-day conference, organized by SUPARCO, convened approximately 250 Pakistani participants and delegates from 22 nations, covering 17 sessions on topics including space-based climate intelligence, disaster risk assessment, and the enhancement of early warning systems. The conference culminated with a renewed dedication to bolster international collaboration, bolster institutional capacity, and promote the utilization of satellite-based data for climate resilience and disaster preparedness.
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