KARACHI: The 23rd meeting of the Board of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Sindh was held at the PDMA headquarters under the chairmanship of Adviser to the Chief Minister Sindh for Rehabilitation Giyan Chand Essrani, where key matters relating to administration, finance and disaster preparedness were discussed in detail. The meeting was attended by Secretary Rehabilitation Rafique Mustafa Shaikh, Director General PDMA Salman Shah, Director Administration and Finance Shah Hussain Shah, Director Operations, Special Secretary Local Government Agha Fakhar Hussain, Additional Secretary Irrigation Abdul Malik Baloch, Additional Relief Commissioner Arshad Ibrahim, Deputy Secretary Finance Shahida Jamro and other senior officials. Participants reviewed the confirmation of the minutes of the 22nd board meeting and examined progress on decisions taken earlier. The board also discussed a proposal regarding the extension of contracts of PDMA’s contractual employees, along with a proposal for a salary increase in accordance with government policy. The meeting also considered the investment of funds available in the Provincial Disaster Management Fund (PDMF). In line with the recommendations of the finance department, the board discussed investment through market treasury bills or term deposits. It was decided that consultations would be held with Sindh Bank and other banks while ensuring full compliance with the rules of the State Bank of Pakistan. The board was also briefed on emergency preparedness ahead of the upcoming monsoon season. Officials informed the meeting that repair and maintenance of boats and other rescue equipment available with PDMA was necessary to ensure their effective use in case of floods or other emergencies. The availability and readiness of dewatering pumps, spare parts for emergency rescue vehicles, generators and other essential equipment were also reviewed so that the authority remains fully prepared to respond to any potential disaster during the monsoon. A detailed report on damages and relief activities during the 2025 monsoon season was also presented. According to the report, four major spells of rainfall were recorded during the season. The rains resulted in 98 deaths, 87 injuries and the loss of 577 livestock, while nearly 198,000 people were displaced from their homes. On the occasion, Essrani directed that all machinery and rescue equipment must be fully operational before the onset of the monsoon so that immediate assistance can be provided to affected communities in any emergency. He emphasised that a comprehensive record of relief supplies and stock should be maintained and that detailed reports must be obtained from all districts to ensure transparency in the utilisation of resources. The meeting also decided that a clear mechanism and a digital system would be developed for the distribution and management of relief items to ensure swift and organised response during emergencies. The board further discussed proposals under the upcoming development programme, including the upgradation of existing Humanitarian Response Facilities (HRFs) in Karachi, Jamshoro and Sukkur, establishment of a warehouse facility in Mirpurkhas, and construction of a new HRF in Badin to strengthen disaster response capacity in coastal districts of Sindh. The proposals were approved in principle. The board also approved the engagement of third-party services for inspection and internal audit of relief items to ensure transparency and accountability. Speaking on the occasion, Essrani said that administrative reforms, modern technology and a transparent system were essential to further strengthen PDMA as an effective institution. He added that the Sindh government was taking all possible measures to ensure prompt and effective relief for people affected by natural disasters. He said that protecting human lives remained the government’s top priority and that efforts were under way to further enhance the operational capacity of PDMA. “Advance preparedness is crucial to effectively deal with natural disasters, and the government is utilising all available resources to safeguard the lives and property of citizens,” he added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026