Provincial Minister for Rehabilitation Affairs and Chairman PDMA Sindh, Makhdoom Mehboob-uz-Zaman, inaugurated the new building of Sindh Emergency Rescue Service 1122 near Niyaz Stadium today.
The development marks a significant milestone in enhancing emergency rescue capabilities in Sindh.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the minister lauded the Pakistan Peoples Party’s efforts in establishing and expanding the emergency rescue service, which now operates command and control units in Karachi and Hyderabad. He announced plans to extend the service to all districts of Sindh in the near future.
The Rescue 1122 Regional Director, Abid Jalaluddin, briefed the minister about the facility’s state-of-the-art operation control room, modern rescue machinery, and fire brigade equipment. The minister expressed confidence in the system’s capacity to handle emergencies effectively.
Zaman revealed that an insurance plan for firefighters and divers had been approved by the Sindh cabinet. Additionally, he confirmed the allocation of snorkels for the Hyderabad unit to further strengthen its operations.
Highlighting the recent success of Rescue 1122 in responding to fire and building collapse incidents in Karachi, the minister stressed the importance of expanding the service’s reach. He informed that emergency services were now accessible to citizens of Defence Housing Authority (DHA) and other urban areas.
Commenting on the 18th Amendment, the minister reaffirmed that provinces were empowered to legislate and manage their institutions. On the contentious issue of water distribution, he emphasized adherence to the IRSA Act and proposed replicating Thar’s water supply model in Cholistan to address shortages in other desert regions.
The minister expressed pride in transforming Thar into a model district, citing its development as an example of the provincial government’s vision. He reiterated Sindh’s opposition to the Punjab canals project, terming it detrimental to the province’s interests.