Punjab Emergency Service formally launched Rescue Mohafiz Program

Lahore : The Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue 1122) has formally launched Rescue Mohafiz Program to establish Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) to enhance emergency preparedness, response and prevention for a healthy, safe and prosperous communities in all union councils of Punjab. In this regard, the launching ceremony was organized at PCSIR Auditorium where Chief Minister’s Chief Social Mobilizer Mrs. Shaista Pervaiz Malik, Provincial Education Minister Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan, Advisor to Chief Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir, Founder Director General Dr. Rizwan Naseer, DG ESA Brig. (R) Amir Hamza and other participated.

While addressing the ceremony, Dr. Rizwan Naseer paid rich tribute to the volunteers of the world on their selfless services for the humanity. Although, he said, Rescue 1122 has rescued over 4.5 million emergency victims but there is dire need to work for sustainable development goals (SDGs), healthy and safer communities in Pakistan. He said that where the Government is doing everything in its jurisdiction to minimize the accidents, there is a public responsibility too to join hands with Rescue 1122 and work for reduction of emergencies. Rescue 1122 is launching Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) in accordance with Punjab Emergency Service Act 2006. Every person enrolled with CERTs will be called as Rescue Mohafiz. He said the purpose of this Rescue Mohafiz Program is to establish CERTs for emergency preparedness, response & prevention of emergencies, promoting healthy & safe living, fire & building safety, road traffic accidents prevention, clean water & sanitation solution and cleaning and recycling campaign. A video message of Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif was also aired. The Chief Minister appealed to the citizens to join CERTs and become Mohafiz of their streets, towns and cities. He said that it was need of the hour to work together to provide safe & healthy society to our future generations.

While addressing to ceremony, MNA Shaista Pervaiz Malik said that Government of the Punjab is establishing CERTs under the umbrella of Rescue 1122 through which we can work effectively for prevention of emergencies. She further said that she signed an MoU with Rescue 1122 in June 2014 as Chief Minister’s Chief Social Mobilizer to create socially responsible and trained citizens in Punjab.

Provincial Minister Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan termed launching of Rescue Mohafiz Program as a historic step of the Government of the Punjab & Punjab Emergency Service through which each citizen would be able to work with shoulder-to-shoulder of Rescuers. He said that we shall go to each union council of the Punjab and will work for safe, secure, healthy and prosperous society. He said that he was happy to know that Dr. Rizwan Naseer has rejoined Rescue 1122 and has taken a very positive step for launching CERTs under visionary leadership of CM Punjab. On this occasion, he appealed to media practitioners and citizens to join Rescue 1122 as Rescue Mohafiz as he also announced to be the first “Rescue Mohafiz”. He also announced awarding Rescue Mohafiz Award in future.

Earlier, the CEO Humanetek Fahad Mahmood Khan briefed about “Mohafiz Mobile Application” through which any citizen can open play store/ App Store & App Box and get register themselves while giving their name, mobile number and CNIC. The citizens can also visit nearest Rescue Station in Punjab to get registration form for the same purpose. In the end, commendatory certificates were distributed among Rescue Mohafiz of NA-123 and other areas.