OBJECTIVE OF SAR:

The objective of SAR is to:

• Afford assistance to aircraft in emergency;
• Alleviate human sufferings and save lives by giving high priority; and
• Locate, provide necessary care, including emergency medical care, and evacuate persons in distress by:
• Using the most effective methods;
• With the least elapsed time;
• In the safest way; and
• Best efforts shall be made to locate aid and rescue the victims with utmost thrift and speed.

Priority

SAR mission will have priority over every other activity, except other, more serious life threatening emergencies. Upon receipt of request, every Authority, Department of (jurisdiction) will provide all equipment, supplies, human resource and facilities necessary to meet the above stated objectives.

Area of Responsiblity

There are two Search and Rescue Regions (SRRs) in Pakistan namely Karachi and Lahore SRRs. The boundaries of Karachi and Lahore SRRs coincide with Karachi and Lahore FIRs and in each SRR, Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) have been established to co-ordinate for SAR.

COSPAS-SARSAT system provides RCCs/RSC with Satellite aided tracking of Aircraft’s Emergency Signal Beacon i.e Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT).

Pakistan is a member of the International COSPAS-SARSAT Program. Local User Terminal and Mission Control Centre located at SUPARCO HQs Karachi provides information to RCCs and RSC and covers whole airspace of Pakistan SAR Regions (SRR).

Both RCCs (Karachi and Lahore) and RSC (Islamabad) are equipped with COSPAS-SARSAT system which is in operation on H24 basis. Operation Room of Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) is responsible for SAR over the territorial waters and High sea area under delegation to Pakistan, is also equipped with COSPAS-SARSAT system.

COMMUNICATION FACILITIES:

RCCs Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad RSC are interconnected via hotlines. A reliable communication network exists between RCCs and other PCAA units as well as with appropriate organizations to ensure effective co-ordination during SAR operation. Additionally Satellite communication facility is also available at RCCs and RSC.