Musadik Malik calls for satellite technology to strengthen disaster preparedness

Federal Minister for Climate Change Dr Musadik Malik on Saturday called for greater use of satellite technology, artificial intelligence and digital modelling to strengthen Pakistan's disaster preparedness and protect vulnerable communities from climate-related hazards. Addressing the closing ceremony of an international conference titled 'Leveraging Space Technology for Early Warning for All, Climate Action and Disaster Risk Assessment', the minister said the government would work towards producing an annual satellite-based report before the next monsoon season to identify construction and human activities in riverbeds and floodplains. He said satellite-based evidence could help identify vulnerable locations and provide a scientific basis for effective land-use planning and disaster-risk reduction, regardless of the economic or political influence of those involved. Emphasising the need for location-specific early-warning systems, Dr Musadik Malik said issuing a warning was not enough unless it reached people directly exposed to a particular hazard. 'A warning without an address is addressed to no one,' he said, calling for a mechanism to ensure that residents, tourists and communities in vulnerable mountainous areas received timely alerts about impending disasters. Referring to a flood incident in which a family was caught in rapidly rising water despite an earlier warning, he said scientific information must be translated into practical measures to save lives. The minister also referred to the reported deaths of around 4,600 people in Karachi during a week-long heatwave, questioning why such losses continued despite the availability of scientific information and weather forecasting capabilities. He stressed that disaster preparedness required an effective follow-up mechanism, comparing it with medical professionals who monitor patients after diagnosis and treatment. Highlighting the potential of digital modelling, he said digital twins could help assess risks associated with building collapses, inadequate construction standards, inappropriate zoning and poor drainage systems. He added that satellite data could provide evidence-based information on land use and environmental changes, enabling authorities to identify risks and make informed policy decisions. The minister also called for greater use of artificial intelligence and advanced computing to accelerate scientific research and improve disaster-risk assessments. Referring to the recently launched $10 million Green Innovation Startup Fund, he invited universities, research institutions and young innovators to use satellite data and develop practical solutions to climate challenges. He particularly encouraged institutions, including NUST, LUMS and Aga Khan University, as well as international universities, to participate in innovation initiatives and develop applications supporting disaster preparedness. Dr Musadik Malik urged scientists and researchers to focus their work on protecting vulnerable populations, stressing that rescue operations should be the last resort rather than the first response.