Rescue 1122 to initiate legal action against prank callers: DG

RAWALPINDI: Punjab Emergency Service, Rescue 1122 received 10,88,235 obnoxious/irrelevant calls at emergency number 1122 since its inception in District Rawalpindi.

The data revealed that out of 10,88,235 obnoxious calls included 537,623 calls from girls, 462,705 from boys, 32,437 from kids, 2,460 musical calls, 51,450 abusing calls and 1560 were irrelevant calls.

As a result of the effective monitoring and call recording software developed by the Service, the number of fake emergency responses has been restricted to 0.01% and the repeated irrelevant/obnoxious callers are blocked so that the emergency callers do not find the number busy and can be provided timely help. However, sudden rise in number sometimes results in failure of the availability of emergency number which is very unfortunate.

The Service has tried several solutions which included blocking of such unwanted callers, warnings over phone and sensitizing the caller about the significance & importance of emergency number. As a result of this sensitizing campaign, a few regular pranksters have stopped dialing Emergency Number 1122.

However, the overall numbers still continues to increase therefore, the Service has been compelled to take necessary legal action which includes imprisonment for six months or with fine of Rs50,000/- or both.

The Director General Rescue 1122, Dr. Rizwan Naseer said that it is the duty and moral responsibility of every citizen to respect the emergency number 1122. He said, "We would still prefer that the citizens understand the significance and importance of emergency number and not try to deprive the emergency victims of their right to be provided timely rescue and emergency medical treatment so that we do not have to initiate criminal proceedings against such obnoxious callers."