CM approves Rs30.8b plan to revamp Sindh emergency services

Unified authority proposed as fire safety audits improve compliance

KARACHI:

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has approved a comprehensive plan to reorganise and modernise emergency services across the province, aiming to establish an integrated and rapid response system under a unified command.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting attended by senior officials, including Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab and Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah.

Officials informed the meeting that as of April 1, some 3,340 buildings had been inspected by 122 teams during a province-wide fire safety audit, exceeding the initial target of 2,368. The number of buildings meeting safety standards rose to 1,328 (43%), while the proportion of highly dangerous structures dropped from 33% in February to 22%.

Authorities also sealed several hazardous buildings and issued over 3,000 notices to enforce compliance with fire safety regulations.

Expressing concern over public safety, the chief minister said protection of life and property was the government's foremost responsibility and directed departments to strictly enforce fire safety laws, conduct regular inspections and ensure immediate corrective measures in unsafe buildings.

The meeting approved a financial plan exceeding Rs30.8 billion to strengthen fire and emergency services. The plan includes procurement of 100 fire tenders, snorkels, aerial ladders, drones, fire bikes and all-terrain vehicles, along with modern rescue equipment such as thermal imaging cameras and life detection systems.