KARACHI: In a significant move to bolster emergency preparedness and public safety, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has launched a comprehensive programme to upgrade emergency response infrastructure across the city, with a specific focus on its beaches.
According to a press release issued Saturday, KMC will enhance its Emergency Response Centre to expand operational capacity for beach-related emergencies, particularly at Hawkesbay, where drowning risks escalate during weekends and public holidays. The upgraded facility will allow rescue teams to deploy lifeguards and equipment more swiftly and effectively, ensuring greater protection for beachgoers.
The enhanced centre is designed to improve coordination, communication, and overall emergency response capabilities, enabling rescuers to reach victims in the shortest possible time and strengthen preventive measures along Karachi’s coastline.
Mayor orders officials to increase number of lifeguards, equipment especially at Hawkesbay on weekends and public holidays
Beyond beach safety, KMC will establish a new fire station at Mauripur to serve as a dedicated emergency response hub for the surrounding industrial areas. The facility is expected to substantially reduce response times in one of Karachi’s major industrial zones, providing prompt firefighting and rescue services for industries, commercial establishments, and nearby residential communities.
Acting on directives from Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab, KMC has floated tenders worth Rs 100 million for the rehabilitation, expansion, and establishment of fire and rescue facilities. The mayor instructed the fire department to continue modernising its infrastructure and strengthening emergency response mechanisms in line with international standards.
He stated that the rehabilitation and expansion of emergency facilities will not only improve firefighting operations but also reinforce Karachi’s disaster preparedness, rescue capabilities, and emergency management network. The upgraded infrastructure will enable KMC to respond more effectively to fires, industrial emergencies, road accidents, natural disasters, and beach-related incidents.
The mayor reiterated KMC’s commitment to building a safer, more resilient Karachi through sustained investment in modern emergency services and public safety infrastructure, adding that strengthening rescue facilities remains an essential component of the city’s broader development agenda aimed at protecting the lives and property of residents.
