FIRE INCIDENT AT GHAKKAR PLAZA, RAWALPINDI - DECEMBER 2008

Bahria Town emergency fleet services were the first to reach the fire disaster at the Ghakkar Plaza, Rawalpindi in December 2008. They carried out the fire fighting, search and rescue operation under the joint command of the District Government, Rawalpindi and the NDMA with the Rescue 1122 Rawalpindi, Cantonment Board Rawalpindi, CDA, Civil Aviation Authority & POF Wah. Over 150 volunteers from Bahria Town with equipment count of over 50 from Bahria Town development projects, which included Fire Brigade, Loaders, Excavators, Dumpers, Welding Plants (to rescue people), worked for over 24 hours for the successful completion of the operation.

BOMB BLAST AT THE MARRIOTT HOTEL, ISLAMABAD - SEPTEMBER 2008

Bahria Town Emergency Services were the first one to reach the Marriott Hotel in flames after the terrible bomb blast on 20th September 2008. During the operation Bahria Town emergency fleet services were entrusted with a special task of preventing the fire spreading to the Boiler & Engineering Department. This was to avoid the colossal damage to the building & loss of lives which would have erupted else wise. The fire had broken out on the frontal of the building. The Boiler & Engineering Department of the Marriott were situated in the rear end. Bahria Town Team was assigned this special task as they had the newest & latest Fire Brigade equipment with them. The water throw capability, nozzle jet throw of over 100 meters, was not available with any other resource present. The team worked tirelessly for over 24 hours till the fire settled down. They were also involved in the rubble clearance operation.

RELIEF FOR IDPS DURING MILITARY OPERATION IN SWAT

With 500,000 people displaced, the Swat IDP Crisis has been termed as biggest humanitarian and displacement crisis in recent times. Keeping in view the magnitude of the situation, Bahria Town coordinated with both the district and provincial governments, and offered human resources and logistical support, and resources from its own budget for initiating relief operations in some selected areas. Bahria Town extended support to almost 200,000 IDPs, both in & outside camps with relief efforts amounting to over Rs. 50 million.
These initiatives included:

Establishment of Relief Camps
Distribution of Goods
Medical Support
Water Distribution
Logistical Support
Relief Cells

ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIEF CAMPS

The unrelenting influx of IDPs from the conflict areas required more IDP camps to be established in the shortest possible time. Bahria Town established 1 big relief camp in Swabi for hundreds of families. 500 IDP families with a population of over 3,000 were provided shelter in this camp. The Relief Camp was operational for over 4 months. Bahria Town stationed its staff permanently in the camps to ensure that basic food, financial, medical, educational & other requirements of the families were met smoothly and promptly.

DISTRIBUTION OF GOODS

Caravan of trucks carrying relief goods of worth Rs. 5 million were dispatched to Dera Ghazi Khan, Swabi & Dera Ismail Khan regions by Bahria Town. Edibles, blankets, shoes, beds, clothes, medicines and tents are part of these relief goods.

MEDICAL SUPPORT

Bahria Town also announced a long-term comprehensive medical relief plan for the IDPs. Under which the Begum Akhter Rukhshana Trust continued its medical relief work for IDPs at the Swabi camp till the relocation and normalcy of life of the IDPs:

  • The Trust set aside Rs. 8 million relief funds. Medical Camp served over 40,000 patients. These included patients suffering from diabetes, hyper-tension, tuberculosis, various infections, flu, fever etc. It appointed qualified doctors from its hospitals, stationed there permanently, to provide medical services to IDPs, especially infants and women.
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  • The required equipment and arrangements for an ambulance & medicines were also provided.The camp was well equipped with modern facilities & also performed minor surgeries & operations.

WATER DISTRIBUTION

Bahria Town provided 2 water tanks mounted on trucks, each with a 25,000 liter capacity and a pumping unit, to deliver water to IDP families in the camps. Bahria Town also announced a long-term comprehensive medical relief plan for the IDPs. Under which the Begum Akhter Rukhshana Trust continued its medical relief work for IDPs.

LOGISTICAL SUPPORT

Bahria Town offered its human resources & logistical support both to the district government & many local & international NGO’s. This included financial, medical & food assistance. Over 100 volunteers, from Bahria Town team, worked relentlessly with various organizations to help the ones in need.

RELIEF CELLS

Bahria Town established relief cells at all its offices & communities to collect relief goods from both its team members & residents of Bahria Town for the IDPs, so that maximum donations could be dispatched in the minimum time for help of the helpless people. The total amount of relief goods & cash collected was over Rs. 1 Million.

Tragic Earthquake in Pakistan - 2005

On Saturday, 8th October 2005 a 7.6-magnitude earthquake hit the northern parts of Pakistan. With a death toll above 73,000, and with over 3,000,000 people left cold, injured, hungry and homeless, the October 2005 Earhtquake was the most devastating in the history of the region. Bahria Town immediately mobilized its team to provide much needed relief for the survivors. They provided on-the-ground coordination and distribution of relief to many villages in the districts of Bagh, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Abbottabad, Balakot & Mansehra.

Logistical Support

In a situation when, roads buried in rubble hampered relief efforts in many remote villages, many affected areas remained inaccessible and rescuers lacked heavy equipment needed to clear roads and rescue survivors buried under the wreckage. Bahria Town provided the much required heavy earth-moving and logistical equipment for the rescue efforts. Bahria Town’s equipment was the first to reach the earthquake affected areas. More than 200 units of machinery including dumpers & excavators were sent over. Work at the project development sites was halted for more than a month and all required machinery & equipment was sent to the earthquake affected areas. More than 550 volunteers, from Bahria Town team, worked relentlessly for the rescue & relief efforts.

Relief Camps for Earthquake Victims

Bahria Town established 8 big relief camps with relief efforts amounting to Rs. 100 million. 6000 refugee families with a population of 36,000 were provided shelter in these camps. Refugee Camps were operational for over 3 months. Special camp for single ladies was also established to ensure their privacy and medical requirements. Bahria Town stationed its staff permanently in the camps to ensure that the basic food, financial, medical, educational & other requirements of these families were met smoothly. Bahria Town managed the complete administrative and other issues that arose in the chaotic situation. Relief camps were located in:

Muzaffarabad
Bagh
Chakkar
Chakoti
4 Camps in different locations in Islamabad including Lake View Hotel Islamabad & I-9 Islamabad

Relief Cells

Bahria Town established relief cells at all its offices & communities to collect relief goods from both its team members & residents of Bahria Town for the refugees Maximum donations were given in the minimum time for help of the helpless people. The total amount of relief goods & cash collected was over Rs. 3 million. The affected were full of praises for the management of Bahria Town, which, according to them, has been providing food facilities.

"We are served food two times a day, in the afternoon and at night.” Mohammad Irshad and Dilpazir, earthquake victims.

ATTOCK OIL REFINERY FIRE DRILL (SEPTEMBER 2008)

Bahria Town was extended a special invitation to participate in the rehearsal for fire extinguishing drill at Attock Oil Refinery. This is a token of appreciation and acknowledgment of Bahria Town’s services in Disaster Management and Relief Efforts.

RENOVATION OF THE LAL MASJID & REHABILITATION OF ITS TEAM

Malik Riaz Hussain, Chairman Bahria Town has played an active role as the unofficial benefactor of the Lal Masjid progeny, to overcome the negative fallouts in the aftermath of the 2007 military operation. Bahria Town has also financed the entire renovation program for the Lal Masjid. The mosque has been renovated with red and brown brick and stone walls. A total of Rs. 20 million has been spent on its repair and redecoration. Provided residence to Umme Hassan and quarters for setting up permanent abodes for their female students. The girls’ madrassah is now located in Bahria Town, Rawalpindi & is providing complete lodging, food, medical & education assistance to over 750 female students. Even Maulana Abdul Aziz lived in a house in Bahria Town after he was released from prison.

“I like the new look the Red Mosque is getting. Bahria Town is doing this free of cost.
It is unfortunate that the concerned authorities had not planned anything
for the renovation of the mosque.” Mr. Israr Ahmed, Manager Incharge Renovation Program, Bahria Town.

Malik Riaz Hussain, Chairman Bahria Town’s hasplayed an active role as the unofficial benefactor of the Lal Masjid progeny A Total of Rs. 20 million has been spent on its repair & redecoration.