LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated on Tuesday a motorcycle ambulance service that will be operated by the Punjab Emergency Service ? Rescue 1122. 

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Sharif said these 900 first responders will be able to reach remote areas of Lahore where a proper ambulance cannot go. 

The service is initially being launched in Lahore only and will then phase out to the nine divisional headquarters of the province.

These rescuers will be able to administer first aid and will also alert the ambulance so it can meet them at the nearest location, added Sharif. 

The chief minister congratulated Rescue 1122 DG Dr Rizwan Naseer, saying the project materialised in just six to seven months. 

He also thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Turkey's health minister for training the rescue staff. 

"The work they [Rescue 1122] have done in the last 10 to 12 years is unmatched. Their spirit reminds us of Abdul Sattar Edhi, who despite being elderly and unwell, proceeded to disaster zones to take part in relief efforts.