The Sindh government is considering a comprehensive reorganisation of disaster management, rescue, and emergency response services with the aim of establishing a unified, efficient, and responsive institutional framework across the province.
In this regard, a high-level meeting was presided over by Chief Secretary Sindh Asif Hyder Shah on Friday to review the proposed framework for integrating and strengthening emergency and disaster response mechanisms in the province.
Officials said the meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary Home Muhammad Iqbal Memon, Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi, Secretary Local Government Waseem Shamshad Ali, Secretary Rehabilitation Bilal Ahmed Memon, Secretary Health Tahir Hussain Sangi, Director General Sindh Building Control Authority Muzammil Hussain Halepoto, Director General Rescue 1122, Director General PDMA, CEO Sindh Integrated Emergency Health Services (SIEHS), representatives of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), and other senior officers of relevant departments.
During the meeting, a detailed briefing was given on the existing structure of emergency and disaster response services in the province, highlighting the roles of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Rescue 1122, municipal fire brigade services, Sindh Integrated Emergency Health Services (SIEHS), the Directorate of Civil Defence, the Relief Commissioner, and other auxiliary support institutions. The briefing also identified operational gaps, overlapping mandates, and coordination challenges affecting timely and effective emergency response.
Shah emphasised that the primary objective of the proposed reorganisation was to ensure swift decision-making, a unified command structure, and improved coordination among all emergency response entities. The proposed framework aimed to adopt a proactive disaster management approach, strengthen institutional capacity, and enhance public safety through improved preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery mechanisms.
He said that following comprehensive consultations and further refinement of the proposed framework, a formal and well-structured proposal would be placed before the Sindh Cabinet for consideration and approval.
