Islamabad: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Wednesday officially launched a nationwide Infrastructure Audit Programme aimed at strengthening the safety, resilience, and sustainability of Pakistan’s public infrastructure ahead of the upcoming monsoon season.
The launch event, held at NDMA headquarters, included a seminar to review and audit vulnerable public buildings and infrastructure. The programme is designed to bring federal and provincial stakeholders together on a single platform for coordinated implementation.
Federal Minister for Housing and Works Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, addressing the seminar as chief guest, highlighted the urgent need to shift from reactive disaster responses to preventive measures. He noted that Pakistan has faced significant human and economic losses due to floods, earthquakes, and other climate-induced disasters, often exacerbated by vulnerable and poorly prepared infrastructure.
“The Infrastructure Audit Programme represents a paradigm shift from post-disaster response to early detection and mitigation of structural risks,” he said. “Systematic assessments will help identify risks in critical buildings, safeguard public assets, and enable informed planning and investment.”
NDMA Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik said the seminar focused on initiating coordinated nationwide implementation of the Infrastructure Audit Programme 2026. The initiative will prioritize high-occupancy and high-risk buildings, adopt standardized audit methodologies such as visual inspections and non-destructive testing, and develop digital reporting and decision-support systems. Resilience indicators will also be integrated into infrastructure planning.
The seminar was attended by senior officials from federal and provincial governments, representatives from building control and development authorities, engineers, technical experts, academia, and development partners. Participants discussed the programme’s rationale, scope, phased implementation plan, and strategies to systematically strengthen Pakistan’s critical infrastructure against disasters.
The NDMA said the initiative aims to ensure that public infrastructure is better prepared to withstand natural hazards, improving both safety and long-term sustainability for citizens across the country.
Samra Zulfiqar, a real estate analyst at Zameen.com, is passionate about finding projects that offer buyers the best returns. Her keen insights spotlight the market’s most promising opportunities.
