LAHORE: Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority, Lieutenant General (retd) Inam Haider Malik, conducted an official visit to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab Head Office in Lahore. The visit focused on inspecting emergency preparedness and addressing potential flood risks amid the monsoon season. Key officials, including Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafiq and PDMA Director General Muhammad Saif Anwar Jappa, were present to discuss strategies and review ongoing measures.
According to the Directorate General Public Relation – Govt of Punjab, the visit included a comprehensive review of the Provincial Emergency Control Center and a high-level meeting that assessed preparations, rescue operations, and inter-agency coordination for handling emergencies. The discussions centered around climate change, capacity building, resource management, and disaster risk reduction. The technical team of Chairman NDMA and senior officers from relevant departments participated in the meeting.
Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafiq emphasized the alignment of efforts with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision to mitigate flood risks. He highlighted that various departments, including health and rescue services, are actively prepared, with enhanced equipment and new infrastructure to ensure effective relief operations. Rafiq noted that PDMA’s current preparations surpass those of the previous year in their effectiveness and comprehensiveness.
Chairman NDMA Lieutenant General (retd) Inam Haider Malik acknowledged the commendable performance of PDMA Punjab and related institutions in emergency response. He assured that the NDMA is maintaining effective coordination with all provinces as per the directives of Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, with preemptive measures in place to minimize structural damage.
PDMA Director General Muhammad Saif Anwar Jappa briefed that officers are vigilant, with continuous monitoring of monsoon rains and river water levels. He mentioned initiatives like constructing underground water storage tanks and expanding WASA’s operations to 41 cities to manage urban flooding. The visit concluded with the presentation of commemorative shields by Chairman NDMA to Provincial Minister Rafiq and Director General Jappa.