RAWALPINDI, Jan 4: The public utility departments have finalized contingency plans for the twin cities of Islamabad-Rawalpindi and and launched public motivational drive to deal with any emergency situation in the wake of the heightened tension on borders.
The utilities, including the Islamabad Electric Supply Company, Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), Sui Northern Gas (SNGPL), departments of food, health and Civil Defence Organization, have conveyed their readiness to the local authorities for dealing with crisis.
A spokesman for the Islamabad administration said a comprehensive master contingency plan, including security, for the federal capital had been worked out by the Civil Defence in collaboration with other departments.
“At present all preparations are in place for precautionary and emergency measures in the event of a crisis,” he said.
Civil Defence has activated its volunteers and has assigned them their duties. The Civil Defence would conduct mock exercises of black-out and sounding of sirens.
Six relief centres have also been set up in the federal capital’s rural areas for provision of health cover and food in case of emergency.
The administration of the capital territory has also constituted special liaison committees headed by assistant commissioners and magistrates to coordinate with the government departments.
The position of stocks of medicines and food has been reviewed and arrangements are being made to ensure uninterrupted supply of medicines, life saving drugs and essential food items.
The Islamabad district health officer, Dr Zafar Lodhi in coordination with local hospitals, has finalized the contingency plan that would cater for supply of medicine, ambulance service and availability of beds in hospitals.
In Rawalpindi, the hospitals and medical colleges have been directed to start a mass blood donation campaign and enlist donors along with their grouping.
These directions were given at a motivational campaign meeting held at Holy Family Hospital that was attended by senior officials.
Non-government organisations and other civil society actors have been asked to motivate the people. “Wars are not fought by the army, but by the general public,” was the message conveyed to them. They were asked to keep the morale of the people high.
The Holy Family Hospital has been designated as the coordination centre for Rawalpindi. The medical superintendent of the hospital, Dr Nisar Cheema, and additional medical superintendent Dr Tahir Sharif Malik, would be the contact persons.
First-aid training has been started and education department has been asked to enlist volunteers from the schools and colleges as manpower might be required in case of emergency for evacuating the casualties. Hospitals and other welfare organisations have been asked to provide details of ambulances available with them.
