ISLAMABAD: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Wednesday conducted a first-of-its-kind two-day National Industrial Disaster Preparedness and Response Exercise at its headquarters.

The prime objective of the National SimEx on Industrial Hazards exercise, inaugurated by NDMA Chairman Lt-Gen Inam Haider Malik, was to highlight the importance of effective management through proactive decision-making and timely implementation of on-ground measures to minimise the impact of industrial accidents.

According to a statement issued by the NDMA, the exercise highlighted the need for a strengthened coordination mechanism to ensure timely preparedness efforts and foster collaboration between government entities and industrial partners.

Participants included Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs), rescue agencies and key players from the chemical and petroleum, oil and gas industries including Lucky Core Industries, Sitara Chemical Industries, Ittehad Chemicals, NIMIR Industrial Chemicals, Fauji Fertiliser Company, Fatima Fertiliser Company, Engro Fertiliser Company, Pak-Arab Refinery Company, Attock Refinery, Pakistan Refinery, Cnergyico Pk Limited, Sui Southern Gas Company and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Company.

Senior representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Industries and Production and Ministry of Defence Production also attended the two-day exercise, underscoring the event’s significance and the collective commitment to enhancing industrial disaster preparedness and response capabilities.

Participants lauded the efforts of NDMA and remarked that the SimEx was a significant step towards building a resilient framework for industrial disaster management in Pakistan, ensuring that all stakeholders were well-prepared to handle potential emergencies effectively.

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2024