The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and the Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue 1122) observed the National Disaster Awareness Day on Sunday to remember the victims of 2005 earthquake. The day started with silence for one minute at 08.05 am throughout Punjab. Prayers were offered for souls of martyrs and walks, seminars were also conducted. In Lahore, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and Rescue 1122 jointly organised a walk from Nasser Bagh till Town Hall.
PDMA Director General MPA Waheed Malik, Rescue 1122 DG Rizwan Naseer, other officers and members of civil society participated in it. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Malik said the PDMA was taking steps to raise awareness among the public on dealing with natural calamities and disasters. The National Disaster Awareness Day was being observed with the theme of ‘Tayar Pakistan’ this year, he said and added that they had initiated ‘Early Warning and Response System’ to mitigate effects of disasters. The Multi-Hazard Vulnerability Risk Assessment had been launched in districts while Community Emergency Response Training Programme had been initiated, Mr Malik said. Dr Rizwan Naseer said after establishing an integrated emergency services infrastructure essential for saving lives and providing citizens with the right to timely disaster response and care without discrimination, Rescue 1122 was now working on promotion of safety through awareness activities. At the end of ceremony, the participants offered prayers for the victims of 2005 earthquake.