Planning Minister and Convener of the National Disaster Response Committee Ahsan Iqbal has directed the provincial disaster management authorities to prepare standard response plans for effective disaster management. He was presiding over the first meeting of the Committee, constituted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad today. The Minister asked relevant Ministries to safeguard costly road and communication infrastructure against potential risks. He also directed the provincial governments to establish shelter spaces for livestock and take stern action against encroachments to mitigate threat of urban flooding. Chairman NDMA Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik said the Disaster Response Committee is a pivotal step towards strengthening our national disaster management framework. He underlined the need for robust coordination among all relevant stakeholders to ensure timely and effective response to any emergencies during the monsoon. The meeting discussed current state of preparedness, resou rce allocation, early warning systems, and community engagement strategies. It also reviewed inter-agency communication, conducting joint training exercises and deploying resources to vulnerable regions to ensure a swift and coordinated response. The committee members also reviewed previous disaster response experiences to identify loopholes and areas for improvement. The Disaster Response Committee will continue to meet regularly to monitor progress and address any emerging challenges. Source: Radio Pakistan