The Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue 1122) launched in 2004 from Lahore as a pilot
project with 200 Rescuers; 06 Rescue Stations & 14 Ambulances has now developed
into the largest emergency humanitarian service of Pakistan with infrastructure
in all Districts of Punjab. The Service has won the trust of public by rescuing
millions of emergency victims through its Emergency Ambulance; Rescue & Fire Services
with average response time of 7 minutes. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority
(PDMA) has notified the Punjab Emergency Service as a Disaster Response Force, after
witnessing excellent performance & commitment of the Service during catastrophic
floods in 2010 in Punjab. Subsequently, the Home Department, Government of the Punjab,
assigned flood relief function to Rescue 1122 and empowered the Service by providing
material resources.
Furthermore, the incessant expansion of the Punjab Emergency Service in all Districts
& 15 Tehsils of Punjab is the reward of highly enthralling performance & repute
of the Punjab Government under dynamic leadership of Chief Minister, Punjab, Muhammad
Shahbaz Sharif. In order to promote provincial harmony, the Punjab Government has
provided technical assistance and training to the staff of other provinces including
Khyber Pakhtunkhaw; Gilgit Baltistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Aman Foundation Karachi
to replicate this emergency system in respective provinces. Likewise, under broad
vision of the Chief Minister, Punjab, Rescue 1122 is establishing special Urban
Search & Rescue Teams at Divisional Level in Punjab to manage disasters in future.
Furthermore, the public may rest assure that Punjab Government is continuously providing
proper funding & budget to this Service for purchase; replacement and maintenance
of the Ambulances, Fire Vehicles, Water Bousers, Turntable Ladders, and all other
related emergency equipment necessary for life safety.
I served Pakistan Army for 30 years from 1981 to 2011 and worked on major assignments
of rescue & relief before joining Punjab Emergency Service in October, 2012, as
a Director Administration. During this span of time, I expedited the expansion process
in Districts & Tehsils and streamlined monitoring system of the Service. I assisted
in construction of Pakistan’s first Modern Emergency Services Academy at Thokar
Niaz Baig equipped with all necessary simulators of training of Medical; Fire, Rescue
& Relief. Now, I have been entrusted by the Government of the Punjab to head this
lifesaving Service as Director General and I have prioritised to work for establishment
of Urban Search & Rescue Teams; early enforcement of Service Structure, welfare
of the rescuers and to ensure continuous provision of swift emergency medical care
to the victims of all natures of emergencies across the Punjab. I also wish all
the rescuers should continue discharging their duties with honesty and enthusiasm
with proactive approach of prevention of emergencies in order to establish disaster
resilient and safer communities in Pakistan.
Brig. (R) DR. ARSHAD ZIA
DIRECTOR GENERAL