Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja visited the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) headquarters in Islamabad on Thursday, where she was briefed on technology driven disaster management, including artificial intelligence based early warning systems, risk assessment and emergency response mechanisms, as part of efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s national disaster preparedness and response capacity.
Shaza Fatima seeks technology boost for NDMA
ISLAMABAD, Aug 13 (APP): Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja visited the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) here at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) headquarters on Thursday, where she was briefed on technology driven disaster management, including artificial intelligence based early warning systems, risk assessment and emergency response mechanisms, as part of efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s national disaster preparedness and response capacity.
NDMA Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik, along with senior officers, received the federal minister at the NDMA headquarters.
During the visit, the minister was given a detailed briefing on the functioning of the NEOC and NDMA’s modern disaster management framework, which uses advanced technology for early warning, preparedness, risk assessment and emergency response.
Officials briefed Ms Shaza Fatima on NDMA’s artificial intelligence based systems, including mechanisms for early identification of emerging hazards and development of mitigation strategies to reduce disaster risks.
She was also briefed on NDMA’s next generation technology initiatives and proposed systems for strengthening risk communication and ensuring timely dissemination of disaster related information to vulnerable communities.
The federal minister also visited the Mobile NEOC and Safe Construction Models, where she was apprised of their role in strengthening disaster preparedness and promoting resilient infrastructure.
Ms Shaza Fatima appreciated NDMA’s efforts to modernise Pakistan’s national disaster management system through effective use of emerging technologies.
She expressed her commitment to further strengthening cooperation between the NDMA and the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, particularly in the areas of digital innovation, artificial intelligence, early warning and technology enabled emergency response.
“Effective use of modern technology is vital for enhancing Pakistan’s disaster response capacity and strengthening national resilience,” the minister said.
