PESHAWAR: Small Industries Development Board Managing Director Abdul Hameed Khan has said that small industrial units must install firefighting equipment and train their staff to respond effectively to sudden fire incidents, in line with the directives of the provincial government.

He made the remarks during a meeting with a delegation of the Small Industrialists Association Peshawar Estate, led by its president Haji Waheed Arif Awan. The meeting focused on fire safety measures in small industries and the need to reduce losses caused by factory fires.

The delegation included former president Anwar Maqsood, Muzaffar Khan, Haji Yousuf, Haji Mehran, Haji Insaf, Muhammad Sohail and Nazif Maqsood. Deputy Managing Director Noman Fayyaz, Joint Director Ghalib Shah and Estate Incharge Amjad Hussain were also present.

Abdul Hameed Khan said many factory fires are caused by short circuits, often resulting in major financial losses as goods and equipment are destroyed. He said the damage can be reduced if factories have proper firefighting tools and trained workers available on site.

He said the SIDB administration is starting an awareness and staff training programme in cooperation with the relevant emergency response organisation. The initiative will guide factory owners and workers on the use of safety equipment and basic response measures during unexpected incidents.

The managing director said the cooperation of factory owners would be essential for the success of the programme. He added that the training initiative would later be expanded to other districts, including Hazara, Kohat, Mardan, Charsadda, Karak, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu and Malakand.