Karachi, Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar has distributed eight state-of-the-art snorkels, valued at Rs1.35 billion, to various municipal corporations across the province, enhancing their firefighting capabilities.

According to Chief Minister Sindh, the distribution ceremony, led by Minister of Local Government Mubin Jumani, took place at the water board office on Shahrah-e-Faisal. Dignitaries including Minister Information Ahmad Shah, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, Secretary Local Government Manzoor Shaikh, and other officials and mayors attended the event. Three snorkels were handed over to Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), with one each allocated to Hyderabad, Nawabshah, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur, and Larkana.

Chief Minister Baqar addressed the urgent need for proper firefighting systems in high-rise buildings in Karachi, citing the risks of inadequate equipment and fire exits. To mitigate this, a fire safety audit of buildings has been ordered to identify and rectify defects, ensuring resident safety.

Justice Baqar highlighted the joint responsibility of the government and civic agencies in equipping cities with adequate firefighting machinery. The procurement of snorkels, imported from Indonesia, marks a significant step towards bolstering the firefighting departments. Though the number of snorkels falls short of the requirement, they represent progress in improving fire safety measures.

Local Government Minister Mubin Jumani has directed local bodies to enhance their firefighting systems, with plans to integrate these systems into the Rescue 1122 framework. Secretary of Local Government Manzoor Shaikh noted that the initial order was for 15 snorkels, but only eight were acquired due to currency fluctuations. The snorkels, initially held at KPT due to customs duties, were released following the Chief Minister’s approval of Rs. 350 million.

Additionally, during his visit to the KWSB Control Room, Chief Minister Baqar instructed the water board to regulate water tanker prices and address the exploitation by the private tanker mafia. He emphasized that the water board’s hydrants should serve water-deficient areas rather than being misused for profit.

This initiative demonstrates the Sindh government’s commitment to enhancing public safety and addressing crucial urban issues like fire safety and water distribution.