ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday paid tribute to three courageous shepherds from Ghizer district, Gilgit-Baltistan, whose swift action helped prevent a major catastrophe caused by a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF).
The three men — Waseet Khan, Ansar, and Muhammad Khan — were hosted at the Prime Minister House, where they were honoured for raising a timely alarm about the impending glacier threat. Their quick response allowed over 300 residents to safely evacuate the danger zone before the glacier burst could wreak havoc.
In recognition of their bravery and presence of mind, PM Shehbaz Sharif awarded each of the shepherds Rs2.5 million, calling them “heroes of Gilgit-Baltistan.” He praised their life-saving intervention and said their actions had not only safeguarded lives but had also brought pride to the entire nation.
“Your courage and alertness saved hundreds of lives. Pakistan is proud of you,” said the prime minister during the meeting, which was also attended by Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.
Strengthening Early Warning Systems in Northern Pakistan
Prime Minister Shehbaz also highlighted the Ministry of Climate Change’s ongoing efforts to improve early warning mechanisms across Gilgit-Baltistan and other climate-sensitive areas. He stressed the importance of building community-based response systems to counter the increasing risks posed by climate change and glacier-related hazards.
The honoured shepherds expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the national recognition and financial reward. Their alertness in the face of a rapidly changing climate highlights the critical role that local communities can play in disaster risk management, especially in vulnerable regions like northern Pakistan.
The government plans to replicate and enhance such grassroots-level vigilance through training, awareness campaigns, and investment in technology-based early warning infrastructure.
