ISLAMABAD - As a landmark achievement, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has signed a Contract Agreement with the Consortium of Japan Radio Co Ltd (JRC) and Tobishima Corporation for the installation of a state-of-the-art dual-polarisation Weather Surveillance Radar in Multan. This achievement is a testament to the unwavering efforts of the Director General PMD, Sahibzad Khan, has diligently worked to overcome obstacles that stalled this project for the past five years.
The signing ceremony took place on December 21, 2023, in Tokyo, Japan, marking a significant milestone in strengthening the nation’s weather forecasting capabilities. The signing ceremony was attended by esteemed dignitaries, including Mir Hassan Naqvi, Senior Joint Secretary Aviation Division, Sahibzad Khan, Director General PMD, Dr. Muhammad Tahir Khan, Director P&D, PMD, representatives of JRC, JICA and International Meteorological Consultants (IMC). It is noteworthy to highlight that this project faced delays due to the impact of COVID-19 and subsequent inflation over an extended period. However, the dedicated and effective efforts of DG PMD, Shahibzad Khan, have successfully transformed this challenge into a reality, paving the way for advancements in weather and flood forecasting through the installation of the Weather Surveillance Radar in Multan.
This collaboration under the JICA grant-in-aid project underscores the commitment of the Pakistan Meteorological Department to advancing its weather forecasting capabilities. The installation of this cutting-edge radar system is not only a technological leap forward but also a crucial step in improving the resilience of vulnerable communities. The enhanced forecasting capabilities will allow for more accurate and timely warnings, mitigating the impact of adverse weather conditions. The total project cost was estimated at Rs6,188.759 million, with a generous grant of Rs5,604.000 million from the Government of Japan. The Government of Pakistan will contribute Rs600.055 million to ensure the successful implementation of this transformative project.
