SWAT
Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi visited Swat district on Thursday and formally inaugurated an Emergency Rescue Service for local citizens at the Red Crescent district office in Kanju Township.
The ceremony was attended by Chairman of Red Crescent KP Malik Habib Orakzai, Vice Chairman Farzand Wazir, Muhammad Hilal, Pakistan Peoples Party representatives, and a large number of local residents.
The Governor was given a detailed briefing on the newly launched service, which includes three fully equipped ambulances. The ambulances are outfitted with essential emergency equipment including oxygen cylinders, stretchers, nebulizers, flow meters, life jackets, rescue boats, radios, sirens, fire extinguishers, batteries, trap sheets, mirrors, and headlights.
Officials highlighted that the rescue service would play a crucial role in providing timely relief during floods and other natural disasters.
During the event, Governor Kundi also distributed kitchen sets, blankets, tents, and other aid items among flood-affected families and handed out certificates to volunteers who had completed their training with the Red Crescent.
Speaking to the media, Governor Kundi expressed deep sorrow over the recent tragic incident in Swat, saying that precious lives were lost due to the unavailability of timely rescue services.
He blamed the provincial government’s negligence for the tragedy and vowed that victims would not be left alone in times of crisis.
He also paid tribute to Muhammad Hilal for heroically rescuing people stranded in the Swat River on a self-help basis.
The Governor praised the ongoing efforts of the Red Crescent and said that after launching a free ambulance service in Peshawar, the initiative has now been extended to Swat and will be further expanded across the province.
On the issue of encroachments, he questioned why those responsible for permitting them in the first place are not being held accountable.
Highlighting the potential for tourism and religious travel in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Governor stressed that peace is essential for development.
Expressing concern over rising terrorism in the merged districts, he warned that any challenge to the writ of the state will be dealt with firmly.
Governor Kundi lauded the dedication of the Red Crescent Society’s leadership and volunteers, saying he is fully satisfied with the humanitarian work being carried out by the organization across the province.
