Govt to enhance Rescue 1122’s scope to far flung areas: CM

Punjab CM says that maintaining short response time is of vital importance

LAHORE:  

The Punjab government is expanding Rescue 1122 in order to enhance the service’s scope to far flung areas, said Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar.

He expressed these views while presiding over a high level meeting pertaining to the emergency rescue service at his office on Wednesday.

Addressing the meeting, Buzdar stated that maintaining a short response time was of vital importance to the service. He added that the government has decided to remove the ban on recruitments for Rescue 1122 as human resources are required to deal with emergency situations.

It has also been decided to enhance the emergency allowance of Rescue 1122 employees so that they are able to perform their duties with hard work and enthusiasm. A summary should be sent to the chief minister’s office in this regard, he said.

He maintained that Rescue 1122 centres established at tehsil or sub-tehsil level should be made functional immediately. The Rescue 1122 director general should provide the details of all such centres. In return, the government will extend all possible support to make these centres functional, he said.

The chief minister also gave his approval for introducing the Rescue Scout Training Programme in colleges adding that this programme should be initiated within the next two months. He also directed officials concerned to submit a detailed report regarding initiating a helicopter emergency service in the province. A plan, keeping in view every aspect, should be devised, he said.

He also directed that a meeting for the Punjab Emergency Council should be held in the next month adding that not holding this meeting for the past eight years was deplorable. He assured officials that the service’s issues will be solved on a priority basis.