In recent decades, disasters have caused extensive damage to infrastructure and livelihoods globally, with Pakistan being particularly vulnerable due to its geographic and socio-economic conditions. Effective disaster risk reduction requires strong institutional capacity, coordinated governance structures, and efficient implementation of legal and policy frameworks. This study examines the state of capacity building for disaster management institutions in Pakistan through qualitative analysis based on expert interviews conducted with officials at federal, provincial, and district levels. The findings reveal significant structural and operational challenges, including duplication of responsibilities, overlapping institutional jurisdictions, inadequate financial and technical resources, and weak inter-agency coordination. Furthermore, the study identifies gaps in the enforcement of existing legal and policy instruments, along with a persistent dependency syndrome among lower-tier institutions. These challenges collectively undermine the effectiveness of disaster preparedness and response mechanisms. The study emphasizes the need for institutional strengthening, clearer role delineation, improved resource allocation, and enhanced coordination mechanisms to build a resilient disaster management system. Strengthening capacity at all administrative levels is essential for reducing vulnerability and improving disaster response outcomes in Pakistan
Bennett et al. (Tue,) studied this question.