STAFF REPORTER
PESHAWAR : Senior lawyer Muazzam Butt Advocate has called for comprehensive legal and administrative reforms to strengthen the Civil Defence Organization, enhance its role in counterterrorism efforts and improve its capacity to protect lives and ensure public safety amid growing challenges.
He expressed these views during a meeting with a delegation of the Civil Defence Volunteer Organization, led by Divisional Warden Nadeem Jan, in Peshawar. Ateeq Ahmed, Dr Muhammad Shakeel, Muhammad Asif, Hasim Arshad Mira and other members of the organization were also present.
The meeting focused on the legal framework governing Civil Defence, the challenges faced by the organization and measures required to improve its effectiveness in emergencies, security-related incidents and other critical situations.
Muazzam Butt Advocate observed that the importance of Civil Defence had grown considerably under prevailing circumstances. He said trained and committed volunteers could play a vital role in emergency response, disaster management, counterterrorism support and protecting communities against unforeseen threats.
He stressed that effective implementation of existing laws and regulations, along with necessary legal and administrative improvements, was essential to enable the organization to discharge its responsibilities more efficiently. He emphasized that strengthening Civil Defence at the institutional level should be treated as a priority to improve its operational capacity and public service delivery.
The senior lawyer also called for the effective utilization of volunteers’ skills and capabilities, emphasizing the need for training, institutional support and greater public awareness of Civil Defence services. He said an informed and prepared community could respond more effectively to emergencies and contribute to public safety.
The participants highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts among relevant institutions and the public to expand volunteer services, promote emergency preparedness and strengthen community-level safety measures.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to pursuing practical measures for improving the organization’s legal and administrative framework, enhancing volunteer capacity and making Civil Defence a more effective institution for serving the public in times of crisis.
