KARACHI: The Sindh government has allocated Rs 4.72 billion during FY2025-26 to strengthen disaster preparedness, emergency response and public safety through Rescue 1122, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and Mobile Diagnostic & Emergency Health Services (MD&EHS).
This was unveiled by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah while presenting annual budget 2026-27.
He said Rescue 1122 expanded its operations to 19 districts and established 15 highway emergency response stations. More than 1,700 personnel were trained, while the service responded to over 320,798 emergencies between July 2025 and May 2026, including 317,760 medical emergencies and 1,711 fire incidents.
The PDMA enhanced disaster management capacity through district-level disaster units, a strengthened 24/7 Provincial Emergency Operations Centre, GIS-based hazard mapping and digital relief monitoring systems. New regional facilities at Mirpurkhas, Larkana and Shaheed Benazirabad are also being established to improve emergency coordination.
Meanwhile, MD&EHS provided healthcare services to more than 488,000 patients across 18 districts during the year. During flood and rain emergencies, medical teams treated 65,289 patients and conducted over 20,000 diagnostic tests in affected areas.
The government also announced a compensation package exceeding Rs8.55 billion for victims of the Gul Plaza tragedy in Karachi.
The package includes Rs850 million for families of 85 missing persons, Rs7 billion for affected traders and shopkeepers, Rs600 million in financial assistance to shopkeepers and families, and Rs100 million in rent compensation for residents evacuated from unsafe buildings in Lyari.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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