LAHORE, Oct 8: The Punjab government has declared emergency in all hospitals in the province to provide assistance to the victims of earthquake, which jolted the city around 9am on Saturday.

The government has also directed the officials concerned to constitute rescue and relief teams, comprising officials of health, civil defence and police departments.

It says the Punjab Crisis Management Cell is in contact with all districts where buildings have collapse and injuries have been reported.

The Punjab government has advised the people to contact local Rescue 15 or the crisis management cell at 042-9210301-02 in case of any emergency.

It is learnt that the government has also dispatched two emergency squads, comprising 30 officials, to Islamabad for the assistance of the federal government in rescue work. It said the emergency squads were equipped with ambulances and trained staff and were fully capable of participating in relief activities. The ambulances also were equipped with modern first-aid facilities.