Punjab govt committed to strengthening emergency services: Salman Rafique

LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th May, 2026) Punjab Minister for Health and Emergency Services Punjab Khawaja Salman Rafique has said that the Punjab government is committed to further improving emergency services through modern training and continuous capacity-building measures.

He expressed these views while addressing the closing ceremony of the Trauma Care Course at the Emergency Services academy as the chief guest on Wednesday.

Addressing the ceremony, Khawaja Salman Rafique congratulated all participants on successfully completing the trauma care course organised by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). He appreciated the efforts of the ICRC and Rescue 1122 instructors at the Emergency Services Academy for enhancing the capacity of various institutions.

The minister said the Emergency Services Academy had so far trained more than 27,000 emergency services personnel from all provinces of Pakistan. He added that the partnership between the ICRC and Rescue 1122 was natural as the ICRC plays a leading role globally in first aid training and emergency response, particularly in conflict areas.

Khawaja Salman Rafique said that under the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the provincial government was taking concrete steps to further strengthen emergency services through modern training initiatives and continuous professional development.

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He said the training programme had further improved the ability of participants to effectively respond to trauma situations, especially incidents involving explosions of cylinders, compressors and boilers. He stressed that regular refresher courses and modern training were essential to ensure the operational readiness of first responders.

“Our rescuers are performing their duties as first responders on every front. We are serving humanity for the sake of Allah Almighty,” he added.

Secretary Emergency Services Department Punjab Dr Rizwan Naseer thanked the ICRC for its cooperation in providing modern training. He said the trained personnel would play a vital role in saving precious human lives, adding that the efficiency of emergency services and inter-agency coordination were being continuously improved.

At the end of the ceremony, certificates were distributed among the participants who successfully completed the course.

Officials from Rescue 1122 Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Capital Emergency Services, Civil Defence and Azad Kashmir participated in the training programme.

Among others present on the occasion were ICRC team member Dr Resendiz Agular Hogla Aridai, ICRC Medical Specialist Ijaz Ali Khan, ICRC Programme Manager Dr Aiman Jalal, programme officers, instructors and participants.