ICRC representative calls on Ch Pervaiz Elahi

Islamabad:International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) representative in Pakistan Mr. Paul called on Deputy Prime Minister Ch Parvez Elahi here today and felicitated him on assuming the high office.
He apprised Ch Parvez Elahi about the situation arising from the murder of a ICRC representative in Quetta in April. He said such a regrettable incident has occurred in Pakistan for the first time as a result of which the ICRC has restricted its representatives and activities to Islamabad only because of which many people waiting for the assistance are suffering.
On this occasion, Ch Parvez Elahi expressed his heartfelt sorrow and grief over the loss of life of ICRC representative and expressed the hope that the Red Cross will very soon restore all its programmes throughout the country. He said that the Red Cross representatives are engaged in providing assistance to the people in a selfless spirit and we all appreciate their rendering of these humanitarian services.
Mr. Paul availed the opportunity to exchange views regarding steps taken for launching of the Emergency Services in Punjab during the tenure of Ch Parvez Elahi as Chief Minister of the province.
Ch Parvez Elahi said that credit for raising the emergency services in Pakistan up to the international level and equipping these with latest modest modern facilities goes to former Punjab Govt. He said the Emergency Act was introduced under which the emergency services related organizations were provided legal cover. He said for the first time in the country an institution like Rescue 1122 was established which is rendering unparalleled performance. He maintained that this service is in no way less that the best emergency services of the world.
The Deputy Prime Minister went on to say that fire fighting services were linked with Rescue 1122, fire fighting equipments were imported from Germany and arrangements were made for training of the staff in foreign countries. He said because of all these measures, Punjab Govt. was first to step in the field to tackle the situation created by massive earthquake in the upper regions of the country in 2005.
Ch Parvez Elahi said that his govt. had given Vision 2020 to the province under which revolutionary steps were taken. He said three Cardiology Centres were established in Multan, Faisalabad and Wazirabad, one of which is not functional because of the adamant attitude of the present provincial govt. He recounted in detail the steps taken and peoples welfare development projects launched by the previous provincial govt. in health, education and other fields.
The ICRC representative Mr. Paul appreciated the steps taken during the previous govt. of the province for the welfare of the people and said that his institution would continue to extend assistance to Pakistan for such projects in future as well.