In the aftermath of the Gul Plaza tragedy, the Sindh government has decided to create a new department by administratively separating several sub-departments currently working under different provincial ministries and the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation.
The Sindh government has begun consultations with legal experts to design the administrative structure of the proposed department. Officials said the draft framework will be prepared and, following approval by the chief minister of Sindh, a formal notification will be issued.
The government is considering separating various sub-departments from their existing parent ministries and merging them into a single, independent department to improve coordination and emergency response.
Under the proposed plan, the Civil Defence department will be separated from the provincial Home Department, while the Fire Brigade will be detached from the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation.
Similarly, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority and the Relief Department will be separated from their current administrative arrangements, and Rescue 1122 will be detached from the Health Department.
All these institutions will be merged to form a new, standalone department, with legal consultations continuing on its administrative and operational framework.
Officials said deliberations are also underway regarding the name of the new department, which will be granted the status of an independent portfolio within the provincial government.
The proposed department will have its own secretary, director general and directors, and will be responsible for responding swiftly to natural disasters and other emergency situations.
It will place particular emphasis on rescue operations, relief activities and post-disaster rehabilitation to prevent lapses such as those witnessed in the Gul Plaza incident.
Reporter: Azad Nadiyo