RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government has given 15 days to the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC), district administration and municipal committees to ensure the installation of emergency external staircases in all three-storey buildings in their areas.
The government has also directed the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) to install water hydrants in all major markets of the city, including Raja Bazaar, Commercial Market and other commercial areas, at the earliest.
Officials said the step is needed because heavy fire bowzers face difficulty entering narrow streets in busy bazaars during emergencies.
All government-run hospitals have also been instructed to ensure proper fire safety arrangements in their buildings and to install all required fire safety equipment as soon as possible.
District Emergency Officer Sibghatullah said the Punjab government had issued new standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all departments and civic bodies to prevent incidents like the recent Karachi Gul Plaza fire tragedy. He said building plans would now only be approved if emergency exits were included.
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He added that all departments had been asked to work together to prevent fires in commercial plazas, bazaars, hospitals and other public places.
Meanwhile, a high-level meeting on rescue and emergency arrangements was held in Rawalpindi under the chairmanship of Commissioner Amir Khattak. The meeting was attended by the additional commissioner, officials of Rescue 1122, Civil Defence and heads of relevant departments.
The meeting discussed ways to develop a coordinated strategy at the divisional level to deal with emergencies, natural disasters and sudden accidents.
The commissioner stressed that regular rescue and emergency drills should be started immediately in government and private buildings, educational institutions, markets and public places to raise awareness and ensure timely response during emergencies.
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He directed all departments to prepare detailed action plans according to their responsibilities, clearly mentioning available resources, manpower, machinery and response time. The departments were also asked to prepare these plans through mutual coordination to ensure effective joint action.
The meeting also emphasised the need to keep updated data on sensitive locations, densely populated areas, narrow streets and high-risk zones. The commissioner instructed departments to establish an effective communication system to share emergency-related information and avoid delays in rescue operations.
Mr Khattak also directed that Rescue 1122 motorbikes should remain fully operational to reach narrow and congested streets quickly and provide first aid and rescue services without delay.
It was agreed that a joint strategy involving Civil Defence, Rescue 1122 and other concerned departments would be implemented. Continuous coordination, information sharing and joint drills would be ensured to improve public safety.
The commissioner said the district administration would remain fully prepared at all times to handle any emergency or disaster and stressed the need to protect life and property through quick response and effective coordination.
