Punjab Emergency Service Rescue 1122 playing imp role in timely relief: Elahi LAHORE, March 02 (Online): Punjab Chief Minister, Ch. Pervaiz Elahi has said that Punjab Emergency Service Rescue 1122 is playing an important role in the provision of timely relief and medical assistance to the victims of accidents and calamities and 41 thousand persons have so far been provided relief through this service in Lahore. He was addressing passing-out parade of the staff of Rescue 1122, here today. Member British Parliament, Ch. Muhammad Sarwar, Lord Proust Glasgow, Liz Cameron, Convener Development Committee, Hinzala Malik, Provincial Minister for Tourism, Mian Aslam Iqbal, Chief Secretary Punjab, Salman Siddique, Chairman Planning & Development, Suleman Ghani, District Nazim Lahore, Mian Amir Mehmood and other high ranking officers were present on this occasion. Ch. Perviaz Elahi said that Rescue 1122 has served the purpose for which it was established. He said that 14 stations of this pilot project are functioning in Lahore. He said that after the success this experiment in Lahore, Rescue 1122 is also being started in Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Murree, Sargodha, Sahiwal, Multan, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan and Dera Ghazi Khan. He said that the excellent performance of Rescue 1122 has created a sense of protection among the masses as well as helped in availability of trained staff to cope with any emergency situation. He said that Punjab Emergency Academy is imparting international standard training to the staff of Rescue 1122 and it is a unique training institution of the country in this regard. He said that ambulances of Rescue 1122 which are manned by qualified staff and equipped with modern machinery have been linked with the central station through wireless and reach the site of any mishap within seven minutes. He said that the service is helping in achieving the objectives of a \"Safer Punjab\". He said that this service will be made operational in 12 more cities of the province by June this year so that maximum people could benefit. He said that under this project, 101 fully equipped emergency vehicles and 73 fire vehicles are being purchased. He said that fire service will also be started from April 2007. Ch. Pervaiz Elahi further said that present government believes in public service and is spending huge amounts on the welfare of people as well as providing them basic amenities. He said that Member British Parliament, Ch. Muhammad Sarwar has extended invaluable consultation and shown keen interest in the launching of emergency service project in the province. The Chief Minister congratulated more than 700 participants of the passing-out parade and expressed the hope that they will perform their professional responsibilities with full commitment and dedication. The Chief Minister witnessed a practical demonstration of fire-fighting in Punjab Emergency Training Academy and also inspected the parade of emergency squad. He appreciated the professional skills and discipline of the emergency staff. A memorandum of understanding was also signed on this occasion for the promotion of mutual cooperation between Glasgow Fire Service and Punjab Emergency Service. Chief Officer Glasgow Fire Service Philip Sweeny, Director General Punjab Emergency Service, Rizwan Naseer, Lord Mayor Glasgow, Liz Cameron and District Nazim Lahore, Mian Amir Mehmood signed separate MoUs. Chief Officer Rescue and Fire Service Glasgow, Brain Philip Sweeny in his address appreciated the launching of fire rescue service in Punjab after solid planning and expressed the hope that it will maintain excellent discipline. Director General Rescue 1122, Dr. Rizwan Naseer said that this project has met with success due to courageous leadership and personal interest of Chief Minister Punjab. He said that it is the first fully trained emergency service of Pakistan which has set new examples of professionalism with regard to provision of relief to the victims of mishaps and calamities. Talking to the journalists on this occasion, Ch. Pervaiz Elahi expressed his sorrow and grief over the incident of terrorism in Multan and said that orders have been issued for complete inquiry into this incident. He said that the three police officials who died in this act of terrorism have set a noble example of laying down their lives in the line of duty. End.