Rescue 1122 marked Rescue Martyrs Day in Rawalpindi with a solemn ceremony at the Martyrs Memorial to honour the firefighters killed in the Gakhar Plaza tragedy and to renew its commitment to public safety.
Senior officials and a large contingent of rescue personnel attended the event, including Parliamentary Secretary Zia Ullah Shah, Director Rescue Rawalpindi Region Dr Faisal Mahmood, Director General Emergency Services Islamabad Dr Abdul Rehman, and District Emergency Officer Rawalpindi Engineer Sibghat Ullah.
Floral wreaths were laid at the memorial, a formal salute was presented and special prayers were offered for the elevation of the martyrs’ ranks, as attendees paid tribute to those who laid down their lives in the line of duty.
Speakers described the fallen as the nation’s true heroes and recalled that December 20 is observed as Rescue Martyrs Day in memory of the 2008 incident when 13 firefighters and emergency responders lost their lives while tackling a major blaze.
They noted that the 2008 tragedy claimed personnel from Rescue 1122 Rawalpindi, Pakistan Ordnance Factories Wah Cantt, Civil Aviation and the Fire Brigade, and stressed that those sacrifices continue to shape Rescue 1122’s mission to serve citizens with courage and dedication.
Reaffirming their pledge, Rescue 1122 officials said the department will enhance emergency response capabilities, improve protection for citizens and push for stronger fire safety in high-rise buildings through strict implementation of the Punjab Community Safety Building Regulations 2022.
Speakers emphasised that preparedness, regulation enforcement and public awareness are essential preventive measures to avert future fire-related disasters and preserve precious lives.
The ceremony closed with a renewed resolve by Rescue 1122 to honour its martyrs not only in remembrance but through continued service, vigilance and improved safety standards across Rawalpindi and the wider region.
