ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of a bush fire that erupted in Margalla Hills and directed Capital Development Authority (CDA) and other officials to control it immediately.
The prime minister also asked the authorities concerned to seek assistance of emergency relief agencies and take effective measures for protection of local population, trees and wildlife.
Meanwhile, Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman said the bush fires in the Margalla Hills at the boundary area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad had been controlled but it rekindled due to hot high speed winds.
In a tweet, she said around 70 firefighters have been deployed to extinguish the fire but CDA needs to deploy more.
Bush fires near E-11/D-12 area at the boundary of ICT/KPK are being fought by CDA & KP staff since morning. After that fire was controlled it has erupted again at 3 pm.Due to hot hi speed winds,tough terrain there r 70 firefighters deployed still but @CDA may need to deploy more. pic.twitter.com/aprbdNxFhd
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) May 22, 2022
Sherani fires
Meanwhile, a report regarding firefighting efforts to contain wildfire in Sherani area of Balochistan province was submitted to the prime minister on the ongoing operation in affected areas.
The prime minister had issued direction to the relevant authorities to accelerate their fire dousing operation in the area and summoned a report in this regard.
According to the report, a team consisting of federal and provincial departments had been formed while a control room was set up by the department of forests and wildlife to monitor the situation, besides an emergency was imposed by the commissioner Zhob in the area.
The chief secretary Balochistan, secretary forests, DG PDMA had also visited the affected area to supervise the ongoing operation.
Different teams of about 300 persons were taking part in the operation in Shair Gali, Zargon Zawar, Tor Ghar and Takkai areas.
PM’s special representative and Federal Minister for Housing Maulana Abdul Wasey also chaired a meeting in Zhob which was attended by the chief minister, federal and provincial authorities and the Quetta Corps Commander.
Under the prime minister’s direction, in district Sherani, a task force under the supervision of the secretary forests and wildlife Balochistan had been constituted. A notification related to ‘Village and Area Fire Control’ committees had also been issued.
The report further said the PDMA was providing the required firefighting equipment and rescue vehicles to control spread of wildfire.
The NDMA was also supplying the necessary equipment whereas Pakistan Army has provided two helicopters, besides an army base camp was set up which was extending support in the ongoing operation.
