ISLAMABAD: Islamabad’s fire and rescue system is set for a major overhaul following the PIMS tragedy, with China providing 21 modern fire and rescue vehicles and equipment to the capital, sources said.

According to sources, the existing vehicles of the Islamabad Fire Brigade are nearly two decades old, with the last major procurement for the CDA Fire Department having taken place in 2006.

Under a 2024 Pakistan-China memorandum of understanding, China will provide Islamabad with 21 modern fire and rescue vehicles along with related equipment. The total value of the Chinese assistance is estimated at 72.31 million Chinese yuan, equivalent to approximately Rs3 billion.

Sources said the package also includes a modern snorkel fire tender designed to carry out rescue operations in high-rise buildings. The new vehicle will reportedly be capable of reaching a height of around 88 metres, significantly improving Islamabad’s firefighting and rescue capacity.

At present, the city’s existing fire tenders have a maximum reach of around 68 metres. The increase from 68 to 88 metres is expected to substantially enhance the capacity of the fire and rescue service to respond to emergencies in high-rise buildings.

The new vehicles and equipment are expected to arrive in Pakistan in September, sources said.

The development assumes greater significance following the deaths of 14 newborn babies at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), after which questions were raised over the preparedness and effectiveness of the existing fire and rescue arrangements.

The tragedy has also highlighted the need to modernise Islamabad’s ageing emergency response infrastructure, particularly for dealing with fires and rescue operations in large hospitals and high-rise buildings.

The Chinese assistance is expected to help replace or supplement the capital’s ageing firefighting fleet and improve the overall capacity of the CDA Fire Department to respond to major fire and rescue emergencies.