Parliamentarians urged to promote DRM cause

The Baloch Hal News

QUETTA: Participants of a policy dialogue titled “Effectiveness of Disaster Risk Management Engaging Parliamentarians” have said that active participation of parliamentarians is crucial for improving the effectiveness of Disaster Management Risk (DRM) in the country especially in Balochistan.

The discussion was organized by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in collaboration with UNDP and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in Quetta Tuesday, said a press release issued here.

Senior Balochistan Minister for Planning and Development Abdul Wasy chaired the policy dialogue.

The dialogue was attended by the members of Provincial Assembly of Balochistan belonging to various political parties and representatives of civil society organizations, media Bar associations from across the province.

NDMA Chairman General (r) Farooq Ahmed Khan welcomed the PDMA support to NDMA and stressed the need for continued cooperation and highlighted the effectiveness of building linkages among PDMA and the DDMAs.

He also mentioned the need for political will to achieve an effective implementation of national Disaster Management Ordinance (NDMO) in the province of Balochistan as well as in the country.

Director General of PDMA, Balochistan Mushtaq Ahmed gave a presentation on the status of PDMA Balochistan and the problems confronted by the authority.

He thanked the members of Parliament for extending their support for the noble cause to mitigate sufferings of the masses.

Abdul Wasy appreciated the efforts of the organizers of the policy dialogue and assured his full support towards the accomplishment of the objectives for the PDMA in Balochistan.

Mir Mohammad Rahim Mengal, Provincial Minister for Tourism and PDMA emphasized the need to ensure complete arrangements for effective and prompt response to any disaster in future at all levels.

He said that the Government of the Balochistan would leave no stone unturned in bringing about a vibrant and fully functional PDMA in the province.

He added that all the political support and financial resources would be made available to have an effective and comprehensive system in the province with close linkages with the NMDA.

The members of the Balochistan Assembly, who participated in large number in the policy dialogue, showed keen interest in the subject of disaster management.