Zulfiqar Ahmad
ISLAMABAD, Aug 25, 2025: In an extraordinary tribute to grassroots courage, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday personally honoured three shepherds from the remote Ghizer region of Gilgit-Baltistan, who are being hailed nationwide for their life-saving alert that helped evacuate hundreds ahead of a catastrophic flood.
Wasiat Khan, Ansar Khan, and Muhammad Khan – ordinary men from the rugged mountains of Ghizer – raised the alarm just in time last week to avert a devastating loss of life in Raushan village, which was submerged following a sudden outburst of a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) last week.
The prime minister met the trio at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad, presenting each with a cash award of Rs2.5 million in recognition of their heroic act.
“Thanks to your swift and courageous action, hundreds of lives were saved,” Sharif said, describing the shepherds as “heroes of Gilgit-Baltistan and a source of pride for the entire nation.”
The prime minister also vowed to strengthen early warning systems across the region, promising increased government investment to improve disaster preparedness and response.
“This government is committed to making sure that no life is lost due to delayed warnings,” he added.
The Ministry of Climate Change is spearheading efforts to implement a more integrated alert network designed to detect and communicate risks swiftly, especially in vulnerable mountain communities.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, who joined the meeting, commended the shepherds’ presence of mind and the government’s proactive stance. The three men, humble in their response, thanked the prime minister and credited divine guidance for their role in saving lives.
This rare event highlights how crucial local knowledge and vigilance are for disaster prevention, especially where bureaucracy, exploitative NGO mafia, and poor infrastructure delay emergency responses.
It serves as a powerful reminder that some of the nation’s most heroic acts come from the most unexpected places.