Page 20 - CMA Journal (Nov-Dec 2025)

EXCLUSIVE ([FOXVLYH ,QWHUYLHZ

INTERVIEW

³ With severe resource constraints,

multi-stakeholder strategic partnerships are
of immense significance. The government

should take a leading role by creating

spaces to forge such partnerships.
Pakistan can generate resources through

new avenues of green businesses and

funds by developing impactful projects via
effective partnerships ³

Mr. Naseer Ahmed Memon

Renowned Development Professional and Expert on
Climate Change, Disaster Resilience & Public Policy

ICMA: From your work in flood rehabilitation ICMA: What is the most critical gap in Pakistan’s
programs, what lessons should guide Pakistan’s disaster preparedness, and how can it be addressed?
flood management strategies?
Naseer Memon: Local level leadership is crucial as it
Naseer Memon: Pakistan should take several can plan flood management and take precautionary
measures to improve flood management. First, natural measures and response actions on the ground. Ideally,
waterways must be cleared to let floods flow Union Council level flood management plans should be
unhindered. All river beds should be freed from developed to align with the local context, for example,
encroachments, including illegal settlements. Natural sociology, geography, and other relevant factors.
waterways occupied under villages, agriculture fields,
roads, etc., should be mapped, and bypass flow channels
should be constructed along with adequate cross
drainage structures to allow rain and flood water to flow Pakistan ought to focus on
freely.
increasing water efficiency
Second, District Disaster Management Authorities
(DDMAs) should be empowered, equipped, and and water productivity. Our
strengthened through trained and experienced full-time
age-old infrastructure and
human resources.
Third, community-level flood response should be
strengthened through a package of resilient farming practices waste
communities. Finally, public and private infrastructure,
such as roads, houses, and public utility buildings, should huge quantities of
be constructed as climate-resilient structures, and
retrofitting of vulnerable structures should be planned irrigation water
and executed.

ICMA’s Chartered Management Accountant, Nov-Dec, 2025