RAWALPINDI: Rescue 1122 and the Fire Safety Association of Pakistan (FSAP) on Saturday held a workshop to pay tributes to rescuers who lost their lives in the Ghakhar Plaza incident on Dec 20, 2008.

As many as 13 firefighters died in the operation, four of whom were from Rescue 1122, one from the Municipal Fire Brigade Rawalpindi, six from Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) Wah Cantonment and two from Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Islamabad.

A delegation from the Karachi Port Fire Service led by Karachi Port fire chief Saeed Jadoon, FSAP president Dr Abdur Rahman Cheema, FSAP vice president Mohammad Naz, CAA chief fire officer Anwar Ghouri and others attended the event.

Rescue 1122 spokesperson Deeba Shahnaz conveyed a message from director general retired Brig Arshad Zia.

In his message, Mr Zia paid homage to those who died in the operation, and said sacrifices of heroes would always be remembered and that more precious lives could not be lose to negligence.

District emergency officer Dr Abdur Rehman briefed guests about the Ghakhar Plaza incident and the role rescuers and firefighters played.

“We are continuously working on identifying risks involved in emergency response in multi-storey buildings, and the implementation of minimum fire safety standards as per building bylaws in collaboration with City District Government Rawalpindi and Rawalpindi Cantonment Board,” he said.

FSAP president Dr Cheema said rescuers who lost their lives had set an example to all other rescuers to work with dedication and devotion.

Published in Dawn, December 20th, 2015