Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar on Thursday chaired the first formal meeting of a high-level committee to discuss reforming and unifying the rescue and emergency services under one umbrella.
The rehabilitation secretary briefed the meeting on the existing mechanism for dealing with emergency situations, the challenges being faced and the roles of various institutions. He stressed that in the event of any unforeseen disaster or accident, a timely and coordinated response is essential to ensure the protection of precious human lives.
Lanjar ordered a comprehensive review of the existing legal and organisational framework, and devising practical recommendations to bring rescue and emergency services under a coordinated and unified system operating under a single umbrella. He sought the final recommendations to be submitted within a week.
He said that to ensure effective accountability and prompt action during emergencies, the establishment of a coordinated and harmonised structure across the province is the need of the hour. He ordered that the home department, the Sindh police and the senior member, Board of Revenue, also be included in the committee so that joint proposals be prepared through mutual consultation.
The meeting agreed that the existing disaster management laws should be reviewed and necessary amendments should be made in accordance with modern requirements so that any emergency situation can be addressed effectively and promptly. Lanjar said that without improvement in the law and institutional coordination, an effective emergency response is not possible.
