Punjab Inter-District Rescue Teams Competitions Kick Off to Mark 21st Anniversary of Rescue 1122

LAHORE (Farzana.ch) — The Punjab Inter-District Rescue Teams Competitions began on Thursday at the Emergency Services Academy, Lahore, coinciding with the 21st anniversary of the Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue 1122). The event was inaugurated by Secretary Emergency Services Dr. Rizwan Naseer, who cut the cake and formally declared the competitions open.

Rescue teams from all districts of Punjab, led by their respective District Emergency Officers, participated in the ceremony. Senior officials from the Emergency Service Headquarters and Divisional Emergency Officers were also in attendance.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Dr. Rizwan Naseer said that what once seemed like an impossible mission — the establishment of Rescue 1122 — has today become a source of national pride. “Through dedication and professionalism, Rescue 1122 has made Pakistan proud by becoming South Asia’s first United Nations INSARAG-certified Urban Search and Rescue Team,” he stated.

He highlighted that since its inception in 2004, Rescue 1122 has provided emergency assistance to over 18.7 million victims, responded to 274,000 fire incidents, and saved property worth more than Rs. 750 billion. The Motorbike Rescue Service, launched to overcome challenges in densely populated areas, has handled over 3.8 million emergencies with an average response time of just four minutes.

Dr. Naseer emphasized that Rescue 1122 has become a “lifeline for emergency victims” and underscored the importance of professional training through such competitions to enhance operational efficiency and readiness.

The three-day event will feature challenges including Trauma Management, Fire Fitness, Cable Car & High Rescue, Water Rescue, and Deep Well Rescue. Each team’s performance will be evaluated by senior instructors based on international emergency response standards.

The top-performing teams will qualify for the National Rescue Challenge, while overall winners will be announced at the conclusion of the competitions.