May 24, 2002	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 11,1423

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ISLAMABAD, May 23: A master contingency plan for the federal capital has been prepared to meet any emergency situation in view of the heightened tension between India and Pakistan, a source told Dawn on Thursday

All the departments working under the Islamabad Capital Territory administration have been directed to update their plans to cope with any emergency if war between India-Pakistan starts.

These directives were given by the deputy commissioner, Tariq Mahmood Khan, who is also controller of the Civil Defence Organization, after attending a high-level meeting here on Thursday.

The source said in view of emergency, special passes would be issued to the residents of Islamabad and stickers would be given for their vehicles so that they could move in the city without any hindrance.

Screening and search of every person and vehicle would be started and no vehicle without stickers will be allowed to ply on roads. The plan said the entire capital city could be sealed and nobody would be allowed to enter the city.

The meeting, which was attended by assistant commissioners and heads of various public service departments, was informed that many departments have already updated their contingency plans.

Mr Khan directed the assistant commissioners and magistrates to check the operational preparedness of the departments.

The source said various public utility departments, like Civil Defence Organization, Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco), Capital Development Authority, government hospitals, Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), educational institutions, PTV, Radio, have been asked to present their plans at a meeting scheduled for May 27.

The district food department has been directed to make effective measures to maintain sufficient stock of consumer items so that in case of war, smooth supply of food essential items to the people could be ensured. Similarly, the concerned authority has been asked to ensure availability of petrol and other fuels.

A committee, headed by Assistant Commissioner Tariq Javed Malik, has been assigned to ensure supply of food and fuel.

The administrations of three major hospitals — Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), Federal Government Services Hospital (FGSH) and Capital Hospital (CH) — have been asked to prepare their contingency plans, arrange extra beds and adequate medicines and blood.

The district health officer, Dr Zafar Lodhi, has started coordination with all hospitals of the city to update their plans.

The assistant commissioner, rural, has been asked to coordinate with all concerned departments to ensure the availability of vehicles for special duty.

A control room has been established in the office of the additional deputy commissioner (general) to liaison with and coordinate among different departments.

It was decided at the meeting that schools and colleges will be closed in case of war and relief camps would be established in various institutions.

It was also decided that no official of the ICT administration will go on leave without the permission of the CDO controller.

The meeting was informed that the civil defence department has made an elaborate arrangements for holding fire fighting demonstrations at various public places. All volunteers of the department have been activated both in urban and rural areas of the capital.

Rehearsal of first aid and rescue operations will also be held to educate citizens about protective measures.

The meeting was informed that refresher courses of civil defence was being organised in educational institutions and hospitals.

Under the plan III-Brigade will take over the federal capital in case of emergency and extra police force would also be called out in the city from other areas.

Similarly, all police personnel now deputed on the security of diplomats, government officials and other important persons would called back and deployed in the city.