Fire and rescue capabilities in Islamabad are set for a major upgrade after China donated 21 modern fire and rescue vehicles to the federal capital, days after a fire at PIMS hospital killed 14 newborns.
According to media reports, the existing fleet of Islamabad Fire Brigade dates back to 2006, the last time the Capital Development Authority (CDA) fire department made a major purchase.
The Chinese donation, comprising vehicles and equipment worth 72.31 million Chinese yuan, or roughly Rs 3 billion, will replace a fleet that is now two decades old.
Among the new equipment is a modern snorkel fire tender designed for high-rise rescue operations. The vehicle can reach heights of approximately 88 metres, a significant improvement over Islamabad’s current fire tenders, which are limited to 68 metres.
Sources said the added reach would substantially strengthen the city’s ability to respond to fires and rescue operations in tall buildings.
The new fleet is expected to arrive in Pakistan in September under a 2024 memorandum of understanding between Pakistan and China.
Sources said the tragedy had underscored the urgency of modernising the fire and rescue infrastructure in Islamabad, which had not seen a major upgrade since 2006.
