The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Mian Anjum Nisar has demanded of the Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi to revamp and modernise the fire brigade department, as it has repeatedly failed to cope with any emergency situation.
In a statement issued here on Saturday, the LCCI chief said that the recent incident of fire at Al-Fateh Store had once again exposed the inefficiency of the local fire brigade that failed to extinguish the fire even in 24 hours.
He expressed his surprise over the fact that the fire brigade department did not have even basic equipment like ladders and pressure pumps. What to talk of kits, the staff was wearing 'chappals' while fighting against the fire, he added.
The fire incidents at Al-Fateh, Pace stores and in several industrial units in township areas should have served as eye opener for the local administration and the government officials, but unfortunately no practical steps have so far been taken.
The deaf and dumb attitude of government officials is turning out to be great source of concern and anxiety, he observed.
The Punjab Chief Minister himself reached the spot soon after the incident and expressed his sympathies with owner of the Al-Fateh Store Sheikh Irfan Iqbal that shows his friendly approach towards the business community.
He urged the Punjab Chief Minister to immediately modernise and reorganise the department, inducting well-equipped young, healthy and agile staff to avoid any threat to life and property in future, he concluded.