International Day of Volunteers: Attock marches to promote volunteerism

Disasters and acts of terror make services of rescue workers more important

ATTOCK: Volunteers and rescue workers marched in Attock on Monday to mark World Volunteers Day.

“At the moment, around 1,200 volunteers are serving the people of Attock, while a further 2,300 volunteers listed as reserves are waiting for a chance to serve,” said Rescue 1122 District Emergency Officer Dr Mian Muhammad Ashfaq.

Speaking to participants of the rally, Dr Ashfaq said civilised communities work together to implement laws, rules and regulations.

The rally started from Liaqat Ali Khan Shaheed Stadium and concluded at Fawara Chowk. On the occasion In-charge Civil Defence, District Officer Social Affair Khalid Saba, In-charge NCHD Tahir Khattak, Anjuman Tajiran President Rashidur Rehman and peoples from different walk of life participated in the rally.

In light of rising natural, man-made disasters and acts of terrorism, the importance of volunteers serving people selflessly had increased manifold, he said.

The society should discourage those who defy rules and regulations, the district emergency officer said.

He added that accidents were bound to happen when unauthorised construction, sub-standard wiring, old and rickety public transport were used in violation of rules and regulations.

Dr Ashfaq said that Pakistan was facing both internal and external threats to security in addition to the vagaries of climate change. In such a situation, “the society that we live in should promote volunteerism,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 6^th, 2016.