RAWALPINDI, June 5: The civil defence organizations would be provided all necessary equipment to meet war emergency and all available resources would be utilized for the safety of the people.

The Punjab Revenue Minister Malik Aslam expressed these views while witnessing the emergency exercises conducted by the civil defence organization on Wednesday.

Hospitals, fire brigade, police, utility service providers, civic agencies, social security department, welfare organizations and scouts association participated in the exercises.

He assured the organization that: “Proper places for warden posts in the city and cantonment area would be provided.”

The government does not intend to create war hysteria in the country, but would leave no stone unturned in preparations for meeting any aggression, he said.

The minister said Pakistan did not want war, but would face it with full conviction, determination and courage if aggression is thrust on it. Talking to the newsmen, he said anyone responsible for delay in the release of funds for civil defence preparations would be taken to task.

Sirens were sounded at 10:00am after which exercises were held that included a demonstration of extinguishing fire, tracing the bomb and defusing it, transportation of injured persons, clearance of traffic and rehabilitation of damaged supply lines of utility services.

When asked to comment on the performance of the departments taking part in the exercises, the civil defence officials said their performance had improved and had overcome the shortcomings pointed out in exercises held last week.

They added, there was still room for improvement and they would coordinate with the departments to help them further improve their efficiency in dealing with emergencies.

They accepted that the performance was better as the departments had already been intimated about the exercises and there can be variations in an actual situation of emergency.

About the preparations of the civil defence, they accepted that there have been certain shortcomings mainly due to the paucity of funds. The district, Tehsil and cantonment administrations are yet to release the funds.

PPI adds: Eleven emergency centers have been established in the capital to meet any contingency in view of the prevailing tensions on Pakistan-India border.