In a swift response to Friday’s devastating suicide bombing at Islamabad’s Imambargah Khadijat-ul-Kubra, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced that the provincial government had dispatched 25 ambulances to Islamabad to assist the overwhelmed healthcare facilities in the federal capital.
At least 31 people were killed and 169 injured when an explosion struck during Friday prayers at the Shia place of worship in the Tarlai area. The attack occurred when a suicide bomber linked to Fitna al-Khawarij (the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) was stopped by guards at the entrance, prompting an exchange of gunfire before the attacker ran inside and detonated his explosives.
CM Maryam Nawaz stated that all hospitals across Rawalpindi district had been placed on high alert with “surgical teams, anesthetists, orthopedic and neurosurgical specialists on standby”. She emphasized that “blood banks are fully staffed, and operation theatres are fully equipped to ensure prompt and effective medical care for the injured”.
The Chief Minister also directed the commissioner and deputy commissioner of Rawalpindi to extend every possible assistance to the victims and their families.
Emergencies were declared at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Polyclinic Hospital and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) hospital, though PIMS administration reported reaching capacity with 11 bodies and 60 injured individuals, necessitating the transfer of some patients to Rawalpindi facilities.
This coordinated emergency response demonstrates inter-provincial cooperation during national crises, as Punjab’s resources bolster Islamabad’s strained healthcare infrastructure during this tragic incident.
