KARACHI: Ibad sets up body for disaster management
KARACHI, May 16: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan on Tuesday issued directive for finalizing the Standard Operational Procedures at the earliest to meet any kind of calamities and pursue the required measures for providing relief at every level.
Winding up the discussions at various meetings held under the chairmanship of the governor and those of the committees headed by Adviser to the CM on Local Government Waseem Akhtar and Senior Minister Syed Sardar Ahmed, Dr Ibad ordered setting up of a Disaster Management Authority (DMA) under the chief secretary.
The Tuesday meeting, held in connection with disaster management, was attended by Senior Minister Syed Sardar Ahmed, Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui, Adviser on Finance M. A. Jalil, Adviser on Local Government Waseem Akhtar, City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal, Chief Secretary Fazlur Rehman, Principal Secretary Mohammed Saleem Khan, Senior Member Board of Revenue Syed Anwar Haider and other officials.
In the formation of the DMA, the opinions and proposals put forward by universities in public and private sectors, as well as those by experts of relevant organizations, have also been incorporated.
The governor directed the new Authority to maintain alertness and be prepared and careful all the time to respond to any distress call. He also stressed on holding of regular rehearsal, exercise and running awareness campaigns. He also called for ensuring steps towards maintaining a liaison and cooperation with all the related departments.
Dr Ibad said there should be round-the-year preparations in this regard.
The arrangements for mobilizing the organizations and rescue teams should be made in a manner that all of them get functional promptly and automatically in case of any emergency at every level without being alerted or directed by anyone.
The DMA will function under the chief secretary at the S&GA Department whereas the secretary implementation will be its in-charge. Besides officials of other departments, a senior official of the information department will be a member of the DMA.
Representatives of civil defence, police, Rangers, local government, NGOs, etc., will remain available to the DMA all the time during an emergency.
The Authority will have a full-fledge secretariat equipped with all modern facilities of communication whereas the information department will arrange for all means of liaison and cooperation.
The governor had an appraisal about condition of buildings while he discussed an earthquake emergency.
He was informed that according to the KBCA bylaws of 1979, buildings should be strong enough to sustain a tremor of 6.5 on Richter scale. However, many buildings constructed in the past lacked the required strength. He was also informed that in Karachi, 112 buildings were vulnerable to earthquake and needed to be evacuated and demolished.
The governor directed that officials concerned to ensure provision of alternative residences to the people before getting them evacuated. In the case of such people having acquired a residence on goodwill, popularly known as ‘Pagri’, a solution be found under the relevant law, he added.
The meeting also discussed the matters pertaining to an emergency situation that might develop in other areas of the province. The governor directed all local governments to maintain close contact with the DMA.
Dr Ibad also issued directives for arranging proper training and awareness programmes for the people involved and ensure provision of the required facilities in all parts of the province. On such occasions, a clear strategy be chalked out to keep the role of private hospitals active.—APP
