First Batch of Chief Minister Rescue Internship Programme Graduates in Lahore

By Dr. Ansab Ali | Lahore, Pakistan

LAHORE: The first batch of the Chief Minister Rescue Internship Programme successfully graduated from the Emergency Services Academy (Rescue 1122) in Lahore, where 285 Rescue Interns completed their professional training and participated in a Passing-Out Parade.

Secretary Emergency Services Punjab, Dr. Rizwan Naseer, administered the oath to the graduating interns and congratulated them on completing their basic rescue training. He expressed confidence that the newly trained rescuers would play a vital role in delivering timely emergency services and strengthening public safety in their respective communities. He also emphasized their role in promoting emergency preparedness and a culture of prevention at the grassroots level.

The Passing-Out Parade was attended by Provincial Minister for Health and Emergency Services Khawaja Salman Rafique as the chief guest. Parliamentary Secretary for Forestry and Wildlife Qasim Nadeem, senior Rescue 1122 officials, academy instructors, rescue interns, and trainee rescuers from across Pakistan also attended the ceremony.

Addressing the event, Khawaja Salman Rafique said the Rescue Internship Programme, launched under the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, is designed to equip young paramedics with advanced emergency medical skills while creating better employment opportunities and promoting humanitarian service.

He said Rescue 1122 has become an internationally recognized emergency service, while the Emergency Services Academy has hosted emergency response exercises involving professionals from more than 30 countries. He praised Dr. Rizwan Naseer, academy instructors, and the Rescue 1122 team for successfully training the first batch within just eight weeks.

The minister highlighted several recent initiatives undertaken with the support of the Punjab government, including the provision of modern Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) equipment, specialized rescue vehicles, new ambulances, fire tenders, motorized rescue boats, scuba diving equipment, hydraulic rescue tools, and other advanced resources. He also referred to the launch of the Air Ambulance Service for critically ill patients in remote areas, expansion of fire services to tehsil headquarters, extension of Rescue 1122 services to all motorways, the Deceased Care Service, solarization of rescue stations, and the supply of modern rescue equipment.

Khawaja Salman Rafique urged the graduating interns to continue developing their professional skills, maintain physical fitness, and serve the public with compassion, integrity, and dedication, describing rescuers as “guardians of humanity.”

Parliamentary Secretary Qasim Nadeem congratulated the graduating interns and said Rescue 1122 has evolved into a model institution committed to protecting lives and property. He appreciated the leadership of Khawaja Salman Rafique and Dr. Rizwan Naseer for further strengthening emergency services across Punjab.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Rizwan Naseer described the launch of the Chief Minister Rescue Internship Programme as a historic milestone. He said outstanding interns would receive preference for future recruitment into the Punjab Emergency Service.

He noted that Rescue 1122, a United Nations-certified emergency service, has provided lifesaving assistance to more than 20 million victims since its establishment. He added that the service has responded to over 290,000 fire emergencies, preventing estimated property losses exceeding PKR 794 billion, while the Motorbike Rescue Service has handled more than 4.8 million emergencies with an average response time of approximately four minutes.

Dr. Rizwan Naseer further informed the audience that the Emergency Services Academy has trained more than 27,000 rescuers from all provinces of Pakistan. He concluded by expressing hope that the graduates would remain committed to the oath they had taken and continue serving humanity with dedication.

During the ceremony, the graduating interns demonstrated lifesaving techniques and emergency response drills acquired during their training. Honorary shields were presented to outstanding trainees in recognition of their exceptional performance.