Dera ismail khan: The district administration of Dera Ismail Khan has intensified enforcement of safety measures at rivers and other waterways to prevent drowning incidents and safeguard human lives, implementing strict compliance with Section 144 that prohibits bathing and unauthorized entry into hazardous water bodies.
As part of the ongoing drive, Assistant Commissioner Dera Ismail Khan, Dr. Muhammad Hamid Siddique, accompanied by District Emergency Officer Rescue 1122, the Tehsil Municipal Officer (TMA), the Civil Defence in-charge and officials of Cantt Police, visited River Bank and other vulnerable locations to review safety arrangements.
During the visit, the officials inspected the permanent safety camp established jointly by the district administration and Rescue 1122 near Dera Board. They were briefed on emergency response preparedness, rescue capabilities, deployment of personnel and public awareness measures aimed at preventing accidents.
The assistant commissioner also met boat owners and operators and directed them to ensure the mandatory availability of life jackets for all passengers, keep rescue tubes on board, strictly adhere to the approved passenger capacity and fully comply with all prescribed safety protocols.
He warned that no negligence compromising public safety would be tolerated and legal action would be taken against violators.
Dr. Siddique also interacted with local volunteer swimmers willing to assist during emergencies. It was decided that Rescue 1122 and Civil Defence would jointly register volunteer swimmers to facilitate their organized deployment and prompt response during rescue operations.
To further improve boating safety, the administration decided that all boats would be formally registered and subjected to fitness inspections by the Motor Vehicle Examiner. Only boats meeting the prescribed safety standards would be issued No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for operation.
The district administration, Rescue 1122, Tehsil Municipal Administration, Civil Defence and district police are jointly strengthening surveillance, public awareness campaigns, rescue preparedness and enforcement of safety regulations at rivers and other waterways to minimize the risk of accidents.
The assistant commissioner urged citizens to strictly observe Section 144, avoid unnecessary visits to rivers and streams, keep a close watch on children and follow the safety advisories issued by the district administration, emphasizing that protecting human life was a shared responsibility and that timely precaution could prevent major tragedies.