KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has reiterated that the protection of human lives and property is the government’s foremost responsibility, warning that no negligence in emergency response will be tolerated.
Presiding over a high-level meeting at CM House, the Chief Minister approved a massive PKR 30.8 billion project aimed at transforming and integrating the province’s emergency services into a unified, autonomous authority.
Key Participants
The meeting saw attendance from top provincial officials including Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Provincial Ministers Sharjeel Inam Memon, Nasir Hussain Shah, Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, and Gianchand Esrani, Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab, and other senior administrative heads.
Major Decisions & Infrastructure Upgrades
The approved plan focuses on the modernization of fire-fighting and rescue operations across the province. Key highlights include the purchase of 100 fire trucks, advanced snorkels, aerial ladders, drones, fire-bikes, and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). It also involves merging Rescue 1122 and PDMA into a single autonomous body to streamline operations. Furthermore, the plan includes the establishment of new fire stations and the Rescue 1122 Academy for specialized staff training, while bringing Civil Defence, emergency health services, and compensation systems under one umbrella.
Fire Safety Audit Results
The Chief Minister was briefed on the progress of fire safety compliance across Sindh. A total of 3,340 buildings were audited by 122 specialized teams, resulting in the fire safety compliance rate rising to 43%. High-risk buildings have notably decreased from 33% to 22%. On the enforcement front, over 3,000 notices were issued for violations, leading to the sealing of several hazardous structures.
Legal Framework & Committees
To give the new emergency authority legal backing, CM Murad Ali Shah directed the drafting of comprehensive legislation. A five-member committee, headed by the Advocate General, has been formed to oversee the legal transition and ensure the new system is robust and efficient.
“A modern, unified emergency system is crucial for citizen safety and inter-departmental harmony,” stated the Chief Minister while approving the recommendations.
