From Zeeshan Mirza
KARACHI: Although routine life in Karachi and other parts of the province remained unaffected by the Indian strikes in Azad Kashmir and Punjab, the provincial authorities on Thursday prepared a contin-gency plan and beefed up security across Sindh to tackle any situation.
Almost all educational institutions remained opened on Wednesday and intermediate exams were held as per their schedule in Karachi and other parts of the province.
The director general of Rescue-1122, retired Brigadier Wajid Sibghatullah Mahar, told Dawn that the Sindh Emergency Rescue Service had prepared an emergency plan, outlining preparedness and re-source allocation in anticipation of the situation.
“Rescue-1122 (Sindh) is on high alert and prepared with manpower, resources and coordination proto-cols to deal with any emergency efficiently,” according to the content of the plan reviewed by Dawn. “Rescue 1122 team stands fully ready to respond to any emergency across the province.”
The Sindh health department also declared “emergency” in all health facilities due to the prevailing regional security situation. According to a communique issued by the director general-health, all leaves of health personnel, in-cluding doctors and nurses, stand cancelled. The health authorities were asked to maintain close coor-dination with Rescue-1122, district administration and law enforcement agencies.
According to the contingency plan, ambulances are fully integrated with Rescue-1122, operating to re-spond promptly to any medical emergency that may arise.
The plan has been shared with all relevant district administrations for their information and necessary action.
Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon on Wednesday ordered the provincial police to re-main alert at all levels in view of the tense situation at the country’s borders, according to an official statement.
He directed policemen to keep a close watch on bazaars, markets and public places and enhanced monitoring and checking at the bordering towns and important installations.
“The Pakistan army, air force and navy are extremely alert at the borders while the Sindh police are alert against the enemies inside the province,” declared the IG police. Also, Karachi police chief Javed Alam Odho chaired a meeting at his office in view of the current situa-tion.
The metropolis police chief ordered the city police to remain alert and present at their headquarters while leaves of all policemen had been cancelled, according to the police statement. He said monitor-ing of all important installations should be increased.
