Not fit to serve: Rescue 1122 officials ordered to shed those extra pounds

Rescue 1122 Human Resource deputy director issues letter to warn officers of disciplinary action

LAHORE: After multiple warnings to shed those extra pounds, Rescue 1122 officials have been told to reduce their body mass index (BMI) by attending refresher courses at the Punjab Emergency Services Academy or face disciplinary action after August 1.

A letter has been issued by Rescue 1122 Human Resource Deputy Director Fooad Shahzad Mirza titled “Final Chance to Improve Fitness and Reduce Weight”.

It states that the importance of physical fitness has been repeatedly underscored as it is pivotal with Rescue 1122 being an emergency service.

It goes on to say that overweight staff not only put their own lives at risk but also those of rescuees.

Overweight staff have been warned to reduce their weight or face disciplinary action.



Staffers with BMI of over 30 are being given an opportunity to report for refresher training at the Emergency Services Academy on August 1 to reduce their weight, after which disciplinary proceedings shall begin.

A letter carrying similar instructions was also issued back in November 2016 by the Rescue 1122 Operations deputy director.

The overweight rescue officers were directed to control their BMI and ensure the conduct a physical fitness and BMI test on December 31 or report to the Emergency Services Academy on January 1, 2017.

At least 37 rescue officers and officials had BMI of over 30.

Of them, two were at headquarters, one in the Public Relations Wing, and one at the Repairing and Maintenance Wing.

Those in other districts included three serving in Bahawalpur, six in Faisalabad, two in Gujranwala, two in Khanewal, nine in Lahore, and one each in Jhang, Layyah, M.B. Din, Multan, Rajanpur, Sahiwal, TT Singh, and Vehari.

Two were appointed at Nankana Sahib and three in Rawalpindi. Rescue 1122 spokesperson Jam Sajjad Hussain said the maintenance of physical fitness was a prerequisite for every uniformed force.



He said the step was a part of the DG’s vision to maintain standards of the force as per international standards.

He added that DG Rizwan Naseer had issued standing orders not to post any officer or official with BMI of over 30 in the field.

The DG had given them repeated deadlines to meet the criteria and this is the final decision, he added.