Daily Times

LAHORE: Loads of unregistered ambulances are operating unabated in Punjab, it has been reliably learnt.

Well-placed sources, seeking anonymity, told Daily Times that according to section 22 of the Punjab Emergency Service Act 2006, no person shall use any vehicle as an emergency ambulance or rescue vehicle unless it satisfies the requirements laid down by the service.

According to pre-requisite for any vehicle to be used as an ambulance, it shall not use siren or warning light other than a round yellow warning light. “No person, other than that belonging to a law enforcing agency, shall use red, blue or orange light or any siren on his vehicle except where the vehicle satisfies the requirements prescribed for an emergency ambulance or vehicle.”

According to the rules, “No person shall use the words “rescue” or “rescue service” or any other similar name, title or description without the written authority of the director general and falsely represent that he is associated with the service unless such an association exists.”

In this connection, a letter has been written to the Punjab chief minister and the Punjab chief secretary, requesting that all existing emergency ambulances or rescue vehicles owned by any of the government organisation, department, and authority must be registered with the Punjab Emergency Services as per requirement of law.

“No new emergency or rescue vehicle shall be approved for purchase under any development project or by any organisation of the Punjab government without prior approval of the Punjab Emergency Service as mandated under the Punjab Emergency Act 2016.”

All commissioners, regional police officers, district coordination officers, district police officers and heads of Punjab Emergency Service at divisional and district level along with directors of Excise and Taxation and secretaries of district regional transport authorities have been asked to launch a 30-day awareness campaign to ensure registration of such vehicles with the Punjab Emergency Service.

After the expiry of 30 days, all such unauthorised operations must not be allowed and legal action be taken against the violators. The Excise and Taxation secretary shall pass on instructions to all his subordinate offices not to register any such new ambulance, patients transport and rescue vehicle if it is found to be non-compliant to provision of section of 22 & 23 of the Punjab Emergency Service Act 2006, and may also take necessary legal action against any offenders of the same law after the expiry of 30 days registration campaign.