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National Coordination Committee for COSPAS-SARSAT

The Government of Pakistan has established a National Coordination Committee for effective implementation of the Satellite-aided Search and Rescue COSPAS-SARSAT Programme in Pakistan. For this purpose, a Local User Terminal (Pakistan Local User Terminal or PALUT) and a Mission Control Centre (MCC) were commissioned in 1990. This programme provides distress alert and position location services through the low-earth orbiting satellites. The Committee reviews the effectiveness of various search and rescue organisations in the country and formulates recommendations on Satellite-Aided Search & Rescue (SS&R) operations, ensuring their consistency with the national plan and compatibility with the COSPAS-SARSAT programme. The Committee is also involved in drafting of a legislation concerning emergency distress services, in interference monitoring keeping in view of the overall requirements of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The requirements of existing / planned Emergency Locators Transmitters (ELTs), Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRBs) test / certification is sought to ensure compatibility with the COSPAS-SARSAT system, and in maintaining a national data base and providing access to national users.

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