ADAPTIVE CRISIS LEADERSHIP IN REMOTE BALOCHISTAN: AURANGZEB BADINI’S STRATEGIES FOR NATURAL DISASTER RESPONSE AND THEIR GLOBAL APPLICABILITY

Abstract

The paper examines a Pakistan Administrative Service officer Aurangzeb Badini's leadership during crises in three emergencies in Balochistan that include the COVID-19 pandemic in Quetta (2020-2021), severe winter conditions along with flash floods in Pishin on 9 January 2019, and urban flooding in Gwadar between late February and early March 2024. By utilizing Results-Based Management (RBM) and Problem-Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA), the responses applied accessibility-first planning and adaptive governance to mobilize multi-sector operations, engage media outlets, effectively manage teams, and develop innovative distribution and rehabilitation mechanisms. To achieve objectives, careful team selection, adequate transparency, and community-based distribution systems were utilized to ensure the delivery of desired outcomes to remote and resource-scarce districts. Along with that, available provincial human resources such as principal workforce for operations and logistics under the Deputy Commissioner’s coordination cell were mobilized to ensure the desired objectives (NDMA 2020–2024; UNDP 2022).The efforts helped mitigate the crises earning appreciation from the Prime Miniter, Chief Minister and Local Populace.