DISASTERS strike without warning and demand speed, clarity and unity of effort. Pakistan has faced earthquakes, floods, pandemics and urban emergencies with courage, but our institutional response remains fragmented at best. Agencies such as the Pakistan Meteorological Department, SUPARCO, Rescue 1122, Safe City projects, the Indus River System Authority and provincial disaster authorities each perform admirably within their mandates, yet the absence of a unified information management system leaves gaps that cost lives and resources. It is time to build a National Disaster Information Management System—a digital nervous system that integrates our existing strengths into one coherent framework.

Global best practices offer valuable lessons. In the United States, FEMA’s authority rests on clear legislation, with federated data systems and citizen-facing apps ensuring transparency and rapid mobilization. Pakistan can emulate this legal clarity and citizen engagement by codifying NDIMS in law and launching a multilingual disaster app. Japan’s Meteorological Agency serves as the single authoritative voice for warnings, reducing confusion and ensuring consistent messaging.

Pakistan must adopt the........

© Pakistan Observer