HYDERABAD: The University of Sindh and Sindh Integrated Emergency Health Services 1122 (SIEHS-1122) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the office of the Deputy Commissioner Sujawal on Saturday to jointly use a high-powered engine boat catamaran for rescue operations in coastal areas and marine research activities.
Under the agreement, the 8x22-foot boat will be used to rescue coastal communities living in the creeks along the seaside areas of Sujawal district, besides supporting research studies, surveys and data collection for academic research.
The MoU was signed by the Sindh University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Fateh Muhammad Marri and the Chief Executive Officer Sindh Integrated Emergency Health Services 1122 Brigadier Tarique Qadir Lakhair (retd).
On the occasion, PPP MNA and Chairman PMDC District Sujawal Syed Ayaz Ali Shah Sheerazi, Pro-Vice Chancellor of SU Thatta Campus Prof Dr Misbah Bibi Qureshi, Deputy Commissioner Sujawal Zahid Ali Rind, Project Director Marine Research Sujawal Prof Dr Mukhtiar Ahmed Mahar, Director ORIC SU Prof Dr Farhat Naureen, Director SIEHS Lutuf Ullah, Regional Manager SIEHS Wazeer Ahmed Zaur, Anwar Almani and other officials were also in attendance.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof Dr Fateh Muhammad Marri said that Sujawal district was considered highly vulnerable to natural disasters including cyclones, heavy rains, flash floods and riverine flooding. He said that after assuming charge as Vice-Chancellor, he visited all allied campuses of the university in order to assess their academic performance and review available facilities.
He said that during his first visit to the University of Sindh Thatta Campus, he noticed the boat stationed there and he directed the authorities concerned to make it operational. “After receiving a detailed briefing from the Project Director of Marine Research Studies, it was decided that the boat be handed over to a rescue agency so that it may serve humanity,” he said. “The boat, being a movable asset of the university, will now be used both for saving human lives and for research and educational purposes,” the Vice-Chancellor added.
PPP lawmaker Syed Ayaz Ali Shah Sheerazi said that during Cyclone Biparjoy, the local leadership realised the urgent need for a rescue boat in Sujawal district to assist affected coastal communities. He said that he had suggested the procurement of a high-quality boat capable of operating in creeks and the open sea by reallocating funds from different heads of the PC-1 project. “The Project Director procured the boat after obtaining approval from the competent authority,” he added.
Brigadier Tarique Qadir Lakhair (retd) said the government’s primary objective was to provide essential facilities at the doorstep of the people. He said that after the successful launch of ambulance services 1122 across Sindh, the government was then planning to introduce boat rescue services in vulnerable districts to assist sick and disaster-affected people. He added that the University of Sindh, Sujawal district administration and Petroleum Marine Development Committee (PMDC) had jointly procured the high-powered boat, which was being handed over to SIEHS-1122 for rescue and research purposes. “This collaboration is a historic milestone for the welfare and uplift of coastal communities, particularly in Sujawal district,” he said.
Deputy Commissioner Zahid Ali Rind said that currently no government-owned high-powered rescue boat was available in Sujawal district for emergency operations in the open sea during disasters. He appreciated the services of SIEHS-1122 and PDMA Sindh, describing their work in Sujawal as remarkable.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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