The Punjab government held a meeting on Friday to review measures aimed at modernising and strengthening emergency services across the province, officials said.

The meeting, chaired by Provincial Minister for Health and Emergency Services Khawaja Salman Rafique at the Rescue Headquarters, was briefed by Secretary Emergency Services Dr Rizwan Naseer.

Officials presented updates on the air ambulance service and flood response, along with a detailed safety survey report of high-rise buildings across Punjab.

Salman Rafique said that under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the best possible emergency facilities were being provided to the public.

He said construction of an airstrip for the air ambulance service had begun in Bhakkar, while work was underway on 33 new rescue stations across the province.

“Our rescuers are serving the public day and night during Ramazan,” Rafique said.

He added that the Fire Rescue Service had responded to more than 280,000 fire emergencies so far, preventing potential losses exceeding 768 billion rupees.

The meeting also decided to provide a dead body transfer service in every tehsil of Punjab.

Dr Rizwan said advertisements had been issued for the procurement of modern communication equipment, landing craft, jets and boat carriers for evacuation under Rescue 1122 to ensure effective response to any emergency.