ISLAMABAD:In response to the escalating war threat, authorities in Islamabad have installed emergency sirens in buildings, formed monitoring committees to ensure the availability of essential food supplies besides initiating volunteer training programmes.

The district administration said in a statement that a meeting with Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon in the chair on Friday reviewed the measures to handle any emergency situation. Emergency sirens have been installed on all major buildings throughout the city.

Coordination has also been made for announcements from mosques, and designated spaces have been allo-cated for shelters for affected people in case of an emergency.

`A 24/7 control room has been established at the Safe City Complex.

All rules have been fully implemented in hospitals under the guidelines of the war book. Blood relief camps have also been set up in various hospitals.

Market committees have been established to ensure additional stock of edibles like vegetables, pulses and other items. A strategy has also been prepared for the availability of additional stock at petrol pumps. In view of the situation, all officers should remain present in the field at all times. It said citizens should contact the control room immediately in case of any emergency.

`In case of siren sound or an unpleasant incident, citizens should verify with the control room. In suchsensitive situations, citizens are urged not to pay attention to any unverified news,` the statement added.

The district administration conducted security drills in different buildings, including commercial and residential areas. During the drills, after hearing the siren, a large number of citizens evacuated the buildings. The citizens were also informed about adhering to SOPs during an emergency situation.

Citizens have been asked to cooperate with the administration in such situations. Besides, the DC said young volunteers were being imparted training for emergency situations and in relief activities.

In response to the call of the district administration, hundreds of youth, including women joined the Civil Defence as volunteers and theirtraining has been started.

`Over 200 volunteers at the H-11 site are being trained in first aid for emergency situations. The ADC East and Assistant Commissioners also participated in the training session, said the statement.

Volunteers have also been trained in five rescue operations and other relief activities. The training exercises will continue on Saturday and Sunday.

Hospitals on high alert Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal visited the Islamabad Health Regulatory Authority (IHRA) on Friday and was briefed by the IHRA chief executive officer on organisational matters and impending challenges.

Mr Kamal said all health authorities and hospitals remain on high alert amid tensions between Pakistan and India.

`Given the current geopolitical climate, we are proactively implementing comprehensive measures to handle any emergency situations that may arise,` he stated.

On the directives of the minister, IHRA issued an emergency memo toall government and private hospitals across Islamabad, said a spokesperson for the minister. The instructions included declaring an emergency health alert, reserving 30pc of hospital beds for critical cases, and ensuring free treatment for patients in the event of any emergency.

The memo emphasised the importance of maintaining sufficient supplies of blood with all blood groups and anti-sera adequately stocked along with an updated list of blood donors.

Hospitals have also been instructed to verify the operational status of all biomedical devices, including MRI machines, ventilators and operating theatres. Medical, nursing and support staff are to be on duty round-theclock to ensure swift response capabilities.

Furthermore, the memo highlighted the need to strengthen coordination with Rescue 1122, district health departments and local administration. Hospitals are also required to ensure the availability of standby generators and uninterrupted water supply. The communication systems within hospitals telephone exchanges and mobile networks must be fully functional to facilitate emergency communication.

Rawalpindi In view of the security situation and intrusion of two Indian drones inRawalpindi, which left one person dead and two others injured on Thursday, the local police have established a control room on the premises of the office of the City Police Officer (CPO).

`The control room will receive reports regarding enemy drone/ fighter jets if seen hovering/flying/ falling down in the district and convey it to high-ups after obtaining permission from the competent authorities,` said a police statement.

The control room will be supervised by the deputy superintendent of police (legal) and will be functioning round-the-clock.

A directive issued by the CPO to all divisional SSP and district security officer ordered them to ensure timely information about reports regarding enemy drone/fighter jet seen hovering, flying or falling down in any part of the district and to convey the situation immediately to the high-ups by the station house officers of their respective jurisdiction.

A station house officer confirmed that the police had been directed to immediately report to the control room in case any drone was spotted in their respective areas.

Following the drone incidents in the garrison city, the security level has been placed on high alert and patrolling of Elite Force commandos around sensitive installations has alsobeenincreased.