Rescue 1122 in Attock received 39,000 prank calls in 2019, troubling officials at the main control room who remained alert round-the-clock to fight emergency cases.

According to reports, District Emergency Officer Ishfaq Mian revealed that emergency calls were only 16,332 while pranks calls amounted to 39,000. The officer lamented that these pranks calls wasted the precious time of rescuers.

“The fake phone call phenomenon has troubled our human resource and sometimes leads to a tragedy because many genuine calls are then missed and not responded to on time,” he said.

He asserted that citizens should understand the importance of emergency numbers and try not to deprive real victims of their right to be provided with emergency medical treatment. Rescue officers are directed to ensure immediate emergency care to citizens without any discrimination.

Punjab Emergency Service (PES), Rescue 1122 Attock handled 16,332 cases in which 17,720 people were saved and given trauma services. Reports reveal that help and support was provided to 2,473 road accident victims, 11,216 medical emergencies, 297 fire incidents and 27 drowning cases.

Rescue staff maintained their standard response time is seven minutes to emergency. He said during the year 27,000 volunteers from different schools, colleges and other educational institutions were also given rescue and emergency training.