HYDERABAD: The University of Sindh and the Sindh Integrated Emergency Health Services-1122 (SIEHS-1122) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Sujawal to jointly use a high-powered engine boat catamaran for rescue operations in the coastal areas of the province and marine research activities.

Under the MoU, the 8’x22’-foot boat would be used to rescue coastal communities living in creeks along the seaside areas of Sujawal district, besides supporting research studies, surveys and data collection for academic rese­arch.

The memorandum was signed in Sujawal on Saturday by SU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Fateh Moham­mad Marri and Chief Executive Officer of the SIEHS-1122 Retired Brig Tarique Qadir Lakhair.

VC Marri told the audience at the signing ceremony that Sujawal is considered to be highly vulnerable to natural disasters, including cyclones, heavy rains, flash floods and riverine flooding. He said that during his first visit to this SU campus, he had noticed the boat stationed there and had directed the authorities concerned to make it operational.

“After receiving a detailed briefing from PD Marine Research Studies, it was decided that the boat be handed over to a rescue agency so that it may serve humanity,” he said.

“The boat, being a movable asset, will be used both for saving human lives and for research and educational purposes,” the VC said.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MNA and Chairman of the Sujawal PMDC Syed Ayaz Ali Shah Sheerazi, SU’s Thatta Pro-VC Prof Dr Misbah Bibi Qureshi, Sujawal Deputy Commissioner Zahid Ali Rind, Project Director Marine Research (Sujawal) Prof Dr Mukhtiar Ahmed Mahar, Director of the ORIC Prof Dr Farhat Naureen, SIEHS’s Director Lutuf Ullah, and Regional Manager Wazeer Ahmed Zaur; Anwar Almani and other officials were in attendance.

Published in Dawn, May 31st, 2026