KARACHI: The Sindh cabinet on Tuesday approved a Rs33.7 billion plan to set up a new early-warning public alert system and to purchase firefighting equipment and vehicles from China.

The project includes the purchase of 100 fire tenders, 35 water bowsers, special snorkels, 50 all-terrain fire vehicles, eight firefighting drones, 12 multi-purpose drones and a new early-warning public alert system.

The new public alert system is a multi-layered, technology-based framework designed to quickly send out notifications for natural disasters, health emergencies and other urgent situations.

According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister House, the meeting was informed that the total project would be spread across three fiscal years, covering equipment, infrastructure development and human resources.

Purchase of 100 fire tenders, 50 all-terrain fire vehicles, special snorkels and drones okayed

The chief minister also constituted a high-level committee, including the home minister, to oversee the reorganisation of Sindh’s Rescue Services and ensure a more cohesive and rapid response to emergencies.

The cabinet meeting, chaired by CM Murad Ali Shah, approved the proposal to overhaul the province’s emergency response infrastructure, green-lighting a multi-billion-rupee plan to modernise the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and Sindh Emergency Rescue Service 1122.

According to the press statement, the cabinet approved engaging the Chinese Consulate to source specialised equipment and vehicles under a government-to-government (G2G) arrangement.

The meeting, held at the CM House, was attended by provincial ministers, advisers, special assistants, the chief secretary, the chairman of planning and development, and other relevant officials.

The cabinet also decided to grant women agricultural workers equal wages, regulated working hours, maternity benefits, access to healthcare and child nutrition, protection from workplace harassment, written contracts, and the right to association.

It discussed the Sindh Women Agricultural Workers Rules, 2026, to implement the Sindh Women Agricultural Workers Act, 2019, aimed at recognising and protecting women working in agriculture, livestock and fisheries.

The provincial labour department proposed major legislative amendments to modernise industrial regulations and make it easier to do business across the province.

At the core of the changes is the formal legal recognition of digital processes for registering factories and commercial establishments. For shops and commercial establishments, the new system automatically issues a provisional certificate for 10 days immediately after an online application is submitted.

The meeting was informed that 870 shops were inspected for price checks on February 23. At 119 locations, assistant commissioners auctioned commodities on the spot at the notified prices, and fines totalling Rs2.4 million were imposed.

The cabinet approved the removal of Shafqatullah Bhutto, Chairman of Union Council-16 Baiji Sharif (Sukkur), following an inquiry that found him guilty of significant misconduct and corrupt practices.

Under the Sindh Local Government Act 2013, the cabinet endorsed the recommendation to refer the matter to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for re-election in UC-16.

The cabinet approved the appointment of Rafique Ahmed Shaikh as the chairman of the Sindh Electric Power Regulatory Authority.

Published in Dawn, February 25th, 2026