Provincial Minister for Health and Emergency Services Khawaja Salman Rafique reviews ADP development schemes

Provincial Minister for Health and Emergency Services Khawaja Salman Rafique on Tuesday chaired a meeting to review the progress of ongoing development schemes under the Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2025-26 aimed at strengthening emergency and rescue services across Punjab

LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Jun, 2026) Provincial Minister for Health and Emergency Services Khawaja Salman Rafique on Tuesday chaired a meeting to review the progress of ongoing development schemes under the Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2025-26 aimed at strengthening emergency and rescue services across Punjab.

Senior officers of the Emergency Services Department briefed the minister on the status of various projects. District Emergency Officers, along with relevant Assistant Directors and SDOs, participated in the meeting through video link.

The meeting conducted a detailed review of several key projects, including the construction of an airstrip in Bhakkar, establishment of new Town Rescue Stations in northern and southern districts, expansion of emergency services, and procurement of modern rescue equipment.

The Town Rescue Stations South project covers rescue facilities in Muridwala (Samundri), Sandhilwala (Pir Mahal), Syedwala (Nankana Sahib), Rangpur (Muzaffargarh), Khairpur Tamiwali (Bahawalpur), Cholistan Head Farid (Rahim Yar Khan), Bhattan Wan (Sadiqabad), Kaluwal (Lalian), Winiki Tarar (Hafizabad), Satyana and Mandi Bachiana (Faisalabad), Wando Town (Kamoke), Mandi Faizabad (Nankana Sahib), Hujra Shah Muqeem (Okara), Yousafwala and Noor Shah (Sahiwal), Bonga Hayat (Pakpattan), Chowk Jamal (Jahanian) and Dhornwala (Chishtian).

Similarly, Town Rescue Stations North are being established in Alipur Wazirabad, Jasrawala and Dagal Mor (Sialkot), Qila Kalarwala (Pasrur), Lakot and Karkotli (Murree), Kotla Arab (Kharian), and several locations in Narowal district, besides Barki Road Cantonment, Nishtar Town and Gulberg-Model Town in Lahore.

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The meeting was also informed about the procurement of advanced flood rescue equipment, including aluminum airboats, fiberglass and inflatable boats, jet skis, landing crafts, heavy-lifting drones, water rescue drones, self-propelled lifebuoys, life jackets, digital communication systems, GPS navigation devices and portable tracking equipment.

Speaking on the occasion, Khawaja Salman Rafique said the Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, was committed to providing the best possible emergency services to the public. “We are completing ADP 2025-26 development projects at a rapid pace and continuously enhancing the capacity of the Emergency Services Department,” he said.

The minister termed the launch of air ambulance services, establishment of new rescue stations, procurement of modern rescue equipment and expansion of ambulance services on motorways as major initiatives of the provincial government. He added that, alongside modern training for rescuers, special emphasis was being placed on the overall improvement and modernization of the department.