ISLAMABAD, July 20: The capital police have launched an ambulance service for providing immediate assistance to patients in case of any emergency.

Reviewing the programmes launched by Islamabad police especially its helpline Rescue-15, Inspector General of Police Bani Amin Khan on Friday said the capital police had introducedfree of cost and round the clock ambulance service which would immediately shift the patients to hospital after receiving a call from any part of the capital.

He further said that even medicines would be provided to the patients at their homes and funds for the purpose would be provided by Islamabad police in case a patient was not in aposition to pay their cost.

The IGP added that two more ambulances had been provided to Rescue-15 to ensure success of the service. “Islamabad police have also introduced a service at Rescue-15 through which one can know about the status of a vehicle whether it’s genuine or stolen by simply sending an SMS to 8521 through cell phone,” he said.

Highlighting the salient features of the service named Stolen Vehicles Identification System (SVIS) the IGP said that persons anywhere in Pakistan could simply write down the chassis number of the vehicle and send it to 8521. Within less than 20 seconds all the details about the vehicle would be displayed on the sender’s mobile, the IGP explained and hoped themove would help curb car-theft incidents.

Regarding other services of Rescue-15, the IGP said that 38 vehicles had been provided to the staff serving at the helpline and the sole purpose of the logistic support was to ensure help to citizens in case of any trouble. The response time of Rescue-15 was four minutes and its services were being further improved, he claimed.

The IGP also claimed that crime of car theft had also reduced in the city. He added that 43 cops of Islamabad police had sacrificed their lives in the line of duty and the force would never bow before mischievous elements and continue their efforts for ensuring protection to citizens.