KARACHI: Sindh Governor Imran Ismail today (Sunday) announced the arrival of 52 modern fire tenders in Karachi, terming it ‘a great gift’ for the metropolis by Prime Minister Imran Khan.
He was addressing a press conference at the Karachi Port, accompanied by Maritime Minister Ali Zaidi, Planning Minister Asad Umar, federal Minister Syed Aminul Haq and PTI leader Firdous Shamim Naqvi.
“The project to bring in the 52 fire tenders was an initiative of the Sindh Infrastructure Development Company Limited (SIDCL) to boost the city’s fire emergency system,” Governor Sindh added.
Ismail informed that the federal government would be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the fire trucks and they would come under the ownership of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC).
“The fire engines were not purchased; instead, the project is the result of a unique public-private partnership,” he added. He revealed that nine trade associations including Korangi, SITE and Landhi trade associations would be partners with the government and two fire tenders will be parked with each association.
The trade associations and the partners in the project would be responsible for the availability of water, prompt execution and looking after the fire tenders. “Water bowsers can also perform a role in an emergency of a fire tender,” the governor added.
He also said the premier himself wished to come to Karachi and hand over the fire tenders to the concerned stakeholders once they passed customs clearances. The government first announced its intention to upgrade the city’s fire-fighting capacity in June last year.
