The Pakistan Accord team recently organised a series of capacity building workshops for government officials in the Sindh and Punjab provinces.

The first workshop took place in Karachi from 3 to 7 February, 2025, and was attended by over 70 participants representing eight government departments. These included the Sindh Building Control Authority, Department of Labour and Human Resources, Sindh Emergency Service Department, Civil Defense, K Electric, Fire Brigade Department, and NED University of Engineering and Technology.

The second workshop, held in Lahore from 10 to 14 February, 2025, was also attended by an equal number of participants representing seven departments, including Lahore Development Authority, Faisalabad Development Authority, Department of Labour and Human Resources, Rescue 1122, Civil Defense, UET, NESPAK, and LESCO.

The workshop modules delivered by expert engineers from Arup, included technical and non-technical aspects of building safety, fire safety, and electrical safety, along with an overview of the approval process and regulatory mechanisms in existence in Pakistan. Participants were also exposed to international standards and requirements in the field.

The five-day workshops also provided an opportunity for participants from these departments to engage in mutual learning and sharing, in addition to networking and socialising. The factory visits arranged for a limited number of participants also generated great interest among attendees, along with on-site explanations of various aspects of building safety.

The workshop in Karachi was jointly inaugurated by Dr. Abid Shaikh, Director General of Sindh Emergency Services, and Mr. Athar Ali Shah, Joint Director of the Department of Labour and Human Resources.

In Lahore, Dr. Rizwan Naseer, DG of Rescue 1122, was the Chief Guest at the inaugural session, while Syeda Kulsoom Hayee, DG of Labour Welfare, was the Chief uest at the closing ceremony and distributed certificates among the participants.

In addition to key trainers Ms. Vita Sanderson, Kenneth Wynne, and Mr. Will from Arup, Mr. Joris Oldenziel, Executive Director of International Accord, Mr. Colm Quinn, Interim Chief Safety Officer, and Mr. Zulfiqar Shah, Country Director of Pakistan Accord, specially participated in the training program.

The Pakistan Accord hopes to contribute to enhancing the capacity of relevant government departments, fostering a stronger safety culture across all workplaces in Pakistan.