Misusing service: Rescue 1122 received 9,000 prank calls in Abbottabad

ABBOTTABAD: The officials of Rescue 1122 received at least 9,000 untraceable prank calls during the last 90 days in Abbottabad.

Rescue 1122 Abbottabad Media Coordinator Arsalan Khan told The Express Tribune they received 24,680 telephone calls during the last three months. He added 3,251 calls were based on true information regarding emergencies, 7,520 were dropped calls, while 4,561 were unnecessary calls. He said 9,322 callers provided fake information misguiding rescue teams.

Arsalan said some callers kept their emergency phone numbers busy unnecessarily. This should be avoided as the objective of quick response to citizens facing emergencies could not be achieved unless residents extend their due support, he said.

Regarding the performance of rescue office, Arsalan said during the last three months, at least 181 emergencies were reported from across Abbottabad. He pointed out the rescue teams provided emergency medical assistance on the spot and also shifted 606 victims to hospitals.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 1^st, 2016.