LAHORE, Nov 2: The Punjab government has notified formation of the Punjab Emergency Council (PEC). The council headed by the chief minister has been set up through unanimously passed Punjab Emergency Service Act, 2006, for monitoring and prevention of emergencies.

According to official sources, the first meeting of the council will take place shortly.

Council members include the chief secretary, four members of the provincial assembly, including one female and one opposition member, secretaries of health, home, local government and transport departments, provincial police officer, Environmental Protection Agency director-general, provincial relief commissioner and the Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue 1122) DG. Two representatives one each from the government teaching hospitals and non-governmental organisations will also be council members.

The Punjab Emergency Service will present emergency data to the council to highlight causes of emergencies and hazards endangering public safety, and the council in response will recommend appropriate measures for the prevention of emergencies after reviewing and analysing statistics regarding emergencies.

The council will also monitor working of the Punjab Emergency Service to ensure quality of the service and maintain standards at the optimal level.

Other functions of the council include laying down policy and issue directions for efficient, effective and expeditious action in dealing with emergencies; issuance of regulations to prescribe the minimum standards for the officers and staff to maintain efficiency and effectiveness of the service etc.

Annual budget of the service will also be approved by the council which will meet at least once in three months.

Punjab Emergency Service DG Dr Rizwan Naseer terms the constitution of the council a historic initiative since for the first time all departments concerned with the management of emergencies will sit together to evolve a strategy and make recommendations for the prevention of emergencies.—APP