China has gifted Islamabad a fleet of 21 modern fire and rescue vehicles valued at approximately Rs. 3 billion, marking a major step toward strengthening the capital’s emergency response and firefighting capabilities.
The donation comes just days after the tragic fire at PIMS Hospital, which claimed the lives of 14 newborn babies and raised serious concerns over fire safety, emergency preparedness and rescue infrastructure.
The newly donated fleet is expected to replace Islamabad’s aging firefighting vehicles and significantly improve the city’s ability to respond to fires, accidents and other emergencies.
The modern equipment is designed to provide faster and more effective assistance during critical situations.
Among the vehicles is an advanced snorkel fire tender capable of reaching heights of around 88 metres. The equipment is expected to greatly enhance rescue operations in high-rise buildings, where conventional firefighting vehicles may face limitations.
The new fleet is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan in September. Once deployed, the vehicles are expected to strengthen Islamabad’s emergency preparedness and improve the capacity of rescue teams to deal with major incidents.
The Chinese assistance also reflects continued cooperation between Pakistan and China, while the upgraded emergency fleet comes at a time when greater investment in firefighting and rescue infrastructure has become a pressing priority for the capital.
