Scope of civil defence system to be extended
With terrorism rearing its ugly head again, authorities concerned have decided to upgrade the civil defence system and extend its scope to the tehsil level.
According to sources, volunteers will be equipped with taser guns and walkie-talkies to deal with any untoward situation.
Moreover, an immediate release of funds worth Rs20 million has been requested for this purpose, they said.
Sources also said it has also been decided to hire women civil defence rescue personnel.
A regular control room has also been set up for monitoring, while notices have been issued to the administrations of all approved and illegal housing societies across the district to provide data on all residents and visitors.
They further said authorities concerned have approved the construction of a model warden post of civil defense at Fawara Chowk in Raja Bazaar.
A team of bomb disposal squad and rescue personnel will also be present in this model warden post.
The union councils that have these posts will be upgraded while immediate recruitment of 100 new volunteers in Rawalpindi city has been sought.
These additional volunteers will be employees of the regular government institutions who will be paid on contract basis.
Civil Defence District Officer Talib Hussain told The Express Tribune that due to the new wave of terrorism, civil defense system has been upgraded. All civil defense volunteers will be in regular uniform, he said.
“We have provided taser guns to rescue personnel to deal with any kind of situation. A new guideline has also been issued to citizens living in Rawalpindi city,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, citizens have been asked to keep a close watch on the late-night activities in their streets.
Authorities have said that the name of each informer will be kept confidential.
To monitor suspicious activities, 450 civil defence volunteers across the city have been issued orders.
Civil defense is also inducting new volunteers who will perform voluntary services.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, deputy commissioner Shoaib Ali visited the district civil defense office. During this surprise visit, the deputy commissioner was briefed by district civil defence officer Talib Hussain about measures taken and the newly set up control room.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 6th, 2023.