By Shahid Shah

ISLAMABAD: Owing to the geographical location of Pakistan it often has to face the natural calamities. Disaster relief and management remains a major issue at the provincial and even at the federal government level. Pakistan Army has always remained at the forefront during natural calamities like earthquakes, floods, pandemics, and droughts etc.

COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa took personal interest in steering Pak Army’s rescue efforts in the face of natural or man made disasters & calamities. Pakistan Army has played a pivotal role in managing the flood relief operations. In year 2017, 188 troops, 21 dewatering pumps and 30 boats were utilized in urban flood relief and rescue operations in Karachi. In year 2018, 200 troops, 26 dewatering pumps and 19 boats were utilized to carryout urban flood relief and rescue operations in Lahore.

Similarly, in 2020, over 4,000 persons, 100 dewatering pumps, 105 boats and aviation assets were used to rescue 10,000 individuals from Flooding in Karachi, Hyderabad, Interior Sindh, Punjab and KPK. In doing so, 50 shelters were established and over 75 Medical Camps were also established.

The efforts of Pakistan Army in the rescue services in various parts of Sindh’s Dadu district in 2020 after the monsoon spell in the province saved many lives. One among those is Hayat Bibi a 56 years old woman who was saved along with her family by Pakistan Army rescue team. While sharing the story of her sufferings she said she was stuck with her family and all of them were about to get drowned when a timely rescue effort by Pakistan Army saved them and took them to a safe spot. She also added that her family was provided with all the necessary items in the camps and lauded the in-time service of Army relief team which saved the lives of his complete family.

Along with Hayat Bibi there were many other people with families who were rescued from the areas where flooding wreaked havoc. Though rescue operations come under the domain of local government but Pakistan Army has always remained vigilant in case of any calamity and have rendered full support in all dimensions. The leadership of the armed forces have clear directions of supporting the civil administration in case of any disaster to save the precious lives of people of Pakistan who forever remain indebted to the Armed Forces of Pakistan for their contributions and sacrifices.