Lahore: Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari announced that Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz has introduced initiatives to align Rescue Services with modern standards. As part of these efforts, 39 new fire vehicles have been distributed to 39 tehsils across Punjab. According to Chief Minister of Punjab, the project to provide Fire Rescue Services in 39 tehsils is valued at Rs. 1.884 billion, and includes the deployment of 429 personnel, consisting of 273 firefighters and 156 drivers.

Bokhari detailed that the project will also supply 78 breathing apparatus sets, 273 protective suits, and communications equipment to Fire Rescue personnel. The aim is to ensure timely emergency responses and effective firefighting capabilities at the tehsil level. Approval has been granted to expand Fire Rescue Services to all tehsils of Punjab, with a budget of Rs. 1.88 billion allocated under the current Annual Development Programme, set for completion by June 2027.

Rescue Punjab has responded to over 297,338 fire incidents, preventing potential losses exceeding Rs. 794 billion. Bokhari emphasized that these advances have positioned Rescue Punjab among the world’s leading emergency services. A project to install 975 fire hydrants in commercial markets is underway, and surveys of 2,449 high-rise buildings have been completed to evaluate their fire safety measures.

Life Saver and basic firefighting training has been implemented at all DHQ and THQ hospitals, along with mock exercises to prepare for emergencies. More than 5,000 Community Emergency Response Teams have been established, and a comprehensive action plan for preventing hospital fire incidents is being executed.

The total budget of the Punjab Emergency Services Department for the fiscal year 2025-26 was Rs. 21.625 billion, with a revised budget at Rs. 22.513 billion.