Emergency coverage extended to underserved towns | The Express Tribune

LAHORE:

Punjab Emergency Service, Rescue 1122, is set to expand its operations to 33 additional towns and introduce fire and rescue services in 39 new tehsils, aiming to strengthen emergency response capacity across the province.

The announcement came during a high-level meeting held at Rescue 1122 Headquarters, Thokar Niaz Beg, chaired by Secretary Rescue 1122, Dr Rizwan Naseer, to review progress on Annual Development Program (ADP) schemes.

Senior officials from planning, audit, coordination, and community safety wings attended the session.

Dr. Rizwan emphasised that the initiative is designed to ensure equitable access to emergency care for both urban and rural communities. “This expansion is about reaching underserved populations and reducing response times for life-threatening incidents,” he said.

Rescue 1122, launched in 2004 as an ambulance service in Lahore, has evolved into Pakistan’s largest integrated emergency response system.

It now provides services in all 36 districts of Punjab and has inspired similar models in other provinces and regions, including Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The 33 towns chosen for new services include Barki Road, Nishtar Town, Gulberg, and Mandi Faizabad in Lahore; Satiana, Mandi Buchiana, and Kalowal in Faisalabad; Lakot in Rawalpindi; Wandho Town and Eminabad in Gujranwala; Kot Samaba and Cholistan RHC in Bahawalpur; and several others across Multan, Sahiwal, and Wazirabad.

In addition, fire and rescue services will be introduced in 39 tehsils such as Haroonabad, Chishtian, Yazman, Kalar Kahar, Choa Saidan Shah, Sarai Alamgir, Jalalpur Jattan, Kot Radha Kishan, Jatoi, Arifwala, Sahiwal, Bhera, Sharaqpur Sharif, Talagang, Lawa, and Kamalia.