Proactive disaster management

The monsoon season often brings disaster to the country's infrastructure and people. There are a number of reasons behind this problem including global warming and loopholes on the part of the government and authorities. The disaster management authorities are not working up to the mark. Cosmetic measures are taken during or after a crisis but there is not enough pre-emptive preparation. Rescue services are not well-equipped and both in terms of people and facilities. These shortcomings are evident when one looks at last week’s tragedy in Swat which claimed the lives of at least 12 tourists. It is high time that the state makes more proactive efforts to prevent such tragedies from happening in the first place. Proper planning is needed and the people must also cooperate with the authorities when it comes to following relevant rules and regulations.

Tauseef Iqbal Khan

Islamabad