Karachi:Advisor to the Chief Minister of Sindh on Rehabilitation Giyan Chand Essarani chaired a review meeting of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to assess its performance and progress on relief procurement, monsoon reporting, compensation for disaster-affected families and the digital management of relief operations.
Secretary Rehabilitation Rafiq Mustafa Shaikh, PDMA Director General Syed Salman Shah, Director Finance and Administration Shah Hussain Shah and other officials attended the meeting.
The meeting was informed that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had announced compensation for 45 victims of the 2024 cylinder explosion in Hyderabad’s Paretabad area. Of these, 37 victims have received payments, while eight cases remain pending.
The meeting was also briefed that details of three compensation cases involving people who died during the 2026 monsoon, two in Umerkot and one in Mirpurkhas, had been forwarded to the NDMA. Monsoon situation reports had also been prepared and shared through the PDMA portal and with the relevant authorities.
According to the report, 15 deaths were reported in Tharparkar, two in Umerkot, and one each in Badin and Mirpurkhas. Compensation cases of the affected families are being monitored in coordination with the district administrations.
Officials also reviewed the Beneficiary Information Management System (BIMS), which records beneficiaries’ identity card details, photographs and relief assistance to verify recipients, maintain transparency and prevent duplication of aid. Steps to integrate the system with Benazir Income Support Programme data were also discussed.
Essarani directed officials to expedite compensation payments to eligible families and ensure that no deserving victim faced unnecessary delays.
He also called for stronger coordination with deputy commissioners and district disaster management authorities, transparent records of relief distribution, continued readiness of emergency arrangements and the prompt removal of obstacles hindering relief efforts.