Timergara - Following directives from the provincial government and amid the ongoing heatwave and rising number of forest fire incidents in various parts of Lower Dir district, Deputy Commissioner Basharat Ahmad on Monday chaired a meeting to review preparedness and response measures across the district.
Meeting Attendees and Agenda
The meeting was attended by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Relief and Human Rights), all assistant and additional assistant commissioners, the Divisional Forest Officer, District Emergency Officer Rescue 1122, and representatives of the police, revenue department, local government, civil defence, Tehsil Municipal Administrations (TMAs), and other relevant departments.
Participants conducted a detailed review of the district’s overall preparedness, arrangements for tackling forest fires, availability of firefighting equipment, and inter-departmental coordination mechanisms.
Directives for Forest Department
Addressing the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner directed the Forest Department to activate the Divisional Forest Fire Management Committee and submit a comprehensive report on all forest fire incidents recorded in Lower Dir over the past three years. He instructed the department to immediately begin clearing dry grass and establishing fire lines in high-risk forest areas to minimize the risk of fire outbreaks.
Focus on Vulnerable Areas
Special emphasis was placed on identifying fire-prone and vulnerable locations, including forests, tourist destinations, markets, and other sensitive sites. Authorities were directed to ensure preventive measures in these areas and strengthen the role of Village Defence Committees in fire-affected and high-risk zones.
Training and Volunteer Registration
The District Emergency Officer of Rescue 1122 was instructed to organize specialized firefighting training sessions in collaboration with Civil Defence, welfare organizations, and local communities in all high-risk areas. Similarly, the District In-charge Civil Defence was directed to accelerate the registration of civil defence volunteers to enhance emergency response capacity.
Enforcement and Awareness
The police were instructed to ensure strict enforcement of Section 144 and submit detailed reports regarding any violations of the ban. The Forest Department, Local Government Department, and TMAs were also directed to install awareness banners in markets and at tourist sites. Religious scholars were requested to deliver special messages during Friday sermons on the prevention of forest fires and the protection of wildlife. The meeting also decided to launch public awareness campaigns through social media platforms and community representatives to educate citizens about fire prevention, timely reporting, and responsible behavior.
Coordination and Equipment Readiness
Deputy Commissioner Basharat Ahmad stressed the importance of maintaining close coordination among the Forest Department, Rescue 1122, Police, Local Government, Civil Defence, and other relevant agencies to ensure a swift and effective response in the event of forest fires. He emphasized the need to keep firefighting equipment, machinery, water bowsers, and emergency response teams fully operational and readily available at all times.
Electrical Safety Inspections
The meeting directed authorities to inspect electrical systems in markets, commercial centers, and government buildings, and immediately address issues such as overloading, faulty wiring, and other potential fire hazards. Market associations, traders’ organizations, and building owners were instructed to ensure the availability of fire safety measures and firefighting equipment.
Speaking on the occasion, DC Basharat Ahmad said that all concerned departments must remain on high alert under the prevailing weather conditions. He directed officials to intensify monitoring, particularly during peak heat hours, and ensure immediate action in the event of any fire incident to prevent loss of life, property, forests, and wildlife.
