In a decisive move toward enhancing war preparedness and civilian safety, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government, one of four provinces of Pakistan, has announced the installation of emergency alert sirens across 29 districts.
The initiative comes in response to growing regional tensions following Pahalgam massacre on April 22, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists.
The KP government has begun laying the groundwork for rapid civilian response in case of any aerial threats or cross-border hostilities. According to the government order, the emergency sirens are intended to provide real-time alerts to citizens, allowing them crucial time to take shelter and protect vulnerable groups, including children, women, and the elderly.
A notification, which is in the possession of the News Arena India, issued by the Directorate of Civil Defence KP stressed the importance of community vigilance. The notification instructs citizens to immediately seek shelter indoors upon hearing a siren. Public movement is to be avoided during an alert, and residents are urged to remain calm and refrain from spreading misinformation or misusing the siren system.
A total of 50 sirens, each with a capacity to cover 10-15 km, are being strategically installed in high-risk areas across the province, including key districts such as Peshawar, Mardan, Abbottabad, Swat, Dera Ismail Khan and North and South Waziristan, among others. Local administrations have been tasked with ensuring timely installation, proper coverage and continuous maintenance of the sirens to maintain readiness in the event of conflict.
“This is a proactive measure aimed at safeguarding lives and property during potential emergencies,” the report stated. “The public’s cooperation is critical to the success of this defensive infrastructure.”
The move comes as Pakistan’s top leadership underscores a policy of restraint but readiness. On Wednesday, deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reaffirmed that while Pakistan does not seek escalation, it will not hesitate to respond robustly if attacked, which India described as an action against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.
Global powers, including the United States, United Kingdom, China, Turkiye and Qatar, have urged both nations to exercise restraint and pursue de-escalation through dialogue. However, with war clouds looming over South Asia once again, KP’s initiative signals a broader trend of preparedness and civil defence readiness that may soon be replicated across other provinces.
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