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ISLAMABAD: President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) Sardar Tahir Mehmood has stressed the need to make fire safety, disaster prevention and emergency response a national priority, saying that protecting human life requires practical preparedness, professional training and strict compliance with safety standards. Addressing a One-Day Professional Rescue & Safety Workshop organised by ICCI in collaboration with Khidmat-e-Khalq -Muslim Rescue Mission he said prevention deserves greater attention because once an accident occurs, there may be only moments to save lives. He appreciated the organisers for making safety awareness and practical rescue skills part of the business community’s agenda.
Sardar Tahir Mehmood urged all chambers of commerce and industry across Pakistan to organise similar professional fire-safety, rescue and emergency-response sessions for their members, saying the chambers have an important role in creating a culture of safety within the business community. He said such initiatives should not remain limited to Islamabad but should become a regular feature of chamber activities across the country. He added that collective efforts by the chambers can significantly improve preparedness, reduce avoidable casualties and protect businesses and property. He said a relatively small investment in fire extinguishers, alarms and other protective systems can prevent losses worth millions, while no amount of money can compensate for the loss of a human life. He said fire safety is not limited to equipment; employees and occupants must also be trained to respond effectively during an emergency. He called for a systematic review of fire-and-rescue arrangements in all institutions and stressed the need to “reset our systems” and give safety the priority it deserves.
Sardar Tahir Mehmood said ICCI was leading by example, revealing that the Chamber had conducted a comprehensive fire-safety audit of its building and invested around Rs. 5 million in safety improvements and equipment. He urged businesses and institutions to conduct regular safety audits, address identified gaps and train their staff in emergency response. “If we want others to put their houses in order, we must first put our own house in order,” he remarked.
Chairman Khidmat-e-Khalq-Muslim Rescue Mission Chaudhry Shafiq ur Rehman Warrich stated that such significant workshops are being conducted in all the Chamber of Commerce and Industry countrywide and that they have set the target of setting up modern Rescue Centres in twenty five districts of the country including Islamabad.
Motivational Speaker Ehsan Ullah Mansoor said Islam advocates precaution alongside trust in Allah Almighty, explaining that true tawakkul requires taking practical measures before placing one’s reliance on Allah. Referring to the teachings of the Holy Prophet ï·º regarding epidemic precautions and the principle of “tying the camel first and then trusting in Allah,” he said awareness, preparedness and safety training are fully consistent with Islamic teachings and essential for protecting human life.
ICCI Senior Vice President Tahir Ayub appreciated the initiative and emphasized the importance of strengthening awareness about prevention and emergency preparedness among the business community. ICCI Senior Member Yasir Arafat Butt and Abrar Waheed of Khidmat-e-Khalq explained the core objectives of the workshop, while expert trainers delivered presentations and practical guidance on fire prevention, safety equipment, emergency response and rescue techniques. Participants actively engaged in the sessions and gained practical knowledge for dealing with emergency situations.
In his vote of thanks ICCI Vice President Irfan Chaudhry reiterated ICCI’s commitment to promoting a culture of prevention, preparedness and responsible emergency response, saying that regular training and safety audits can play a vital role in protecting lives, businesses and property.
Those attending the session also included executive members Waseem Chaudhry, Zulqurnain Abbasi, former Senior Vice President Khalid Chaudhry and a large number of business community members.
