Rescue 1122 employees concerned over denial of promotion, lack of service structure

PESHAWAR: After denial of promotion and finding no proper service structure in the Rescue 1122, some of its employees have joined other organisations in recent months to seek better career progression, a source told The News.

The source said that no official of the Rescue 1122 has been given any promotion to the higher grade since the launch of the organisation in 2010.

“Some of the emergency medical technicians who provide instant treatment to victims in case of an emergency have already quit their jobs and joined either the Health Department or other offices. Only two emergency officers have been recruited against three positions recently created in Dera Ismail Khan, Swat and Abbottabad,” the source added.

The cases of three emergency officers are being heard by trial courts. “Some of the officers have been given additional charge of more than two offices while others have been deprived of promotion to fill the seat.

Besides, three senior positions have been occupied by officers coming from other departments on deputation. This has caused disappointment among the Rescue 1122 employees,” said the source.

The source said that employees of the service were now demanding promotions as well as better service structure to come up to the expectations of the people.The Rescue 1122 has become popular with the people for responding timely in case of an emergency.

According to the officials, there is a strict rule that the staff have to respond to any emergency within seven minutes. This mostly results in saving lives.

“Our Director General Dr Asad Ali Khan is focusing on expanding the Rescue 1122 to every district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to provide services to all at their doorstep. Promotion cases, too, will be forwarded to the Rescue Council headed by Relief, Rehabilitation and Settlement Secretary,” said Bilal Ahmad Faizi, the spokesperson for the Rescue 1122 when asked to comment on the issue.