ISLAMABAD, May 28: The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration has asked the citizens not to get alarmed when sirens blare as it tests the adequacy of the air-raid warning system on Thursday at 11am.

The exercise is being conducted in view of the prevailing tension between Pakistan and India, an official of the ICT administration said.

Meanwhile, a high-level meeting on Tuesday reviewed the contingency plans of various departments to deal with any emergent situation in the capital.

The meeting was attended by representatives of civil defence, Sui Gas, Wapda, PTCL, CDA, Pak PWD, education and health departments and the ICT administration.

Speaking on the occasion, the deputy commissioner who is also the controller civil defence for Islamabad informed the meeting that the district administration had nominated 16 coordinating officers to ensure effective implementation of the contingency plans.

He said a crisis management cell had been established at the office of the additional deputy commissioner (general) for close liaison among the concerned departments in case of an emergency.

Under its contingency plan, the district food department will stock sufficient quantity of consumer items which would be provided to the people in case of war. Similarly, the authorities concerned will ensure availability of petrol and other kinds of fuel in the capital.

The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Federal Government Services Hospital and Capital Hospital have arranged extra beds and collected blood from various blood donor agencies and individuals.

The assistant commissioner for rural Islamabad would ensure availability of vehicles for special duty.

The meeting was informed that all civil defence volunteers had been mobilised in the urban and rural areas of Islamabad. The civil defence department has chalked out an elaborate programme for holding fire-fighting demonstrations at various public places.

Refresher courses in civil defence training have been organized in educational institutions and hospitals.