Photo: ISPR 

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited those injured in the Ahmedpur East fire tragedy at Nishtar Hospital, Multan on Monday where he was briefed on the treatment of the patients, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

COAS Gen Bajwa was briefed on the condition and treatment of the injured by Nishtar Medical University vice chancellor and the in-charge of the Burns Centre at Nishtar Hospital.

During his visit to the hospital, Gen Bajwa appreciated the role and efforts of the ?first responders? to the tragic incident, including the civil administration, motorway and Punjab police, locals and hospitals? staff.

COAS said on the occasion that crises management is a joint national responsibility and the army performs its duty in aid of civil administration. He assured the civil administration of the army?s continued full support in taking best care of the victims.

Gen Bajwa said that learning from such avoidable incidents, a national public awareness campaign is required to safeguard against recurrence of such incidents.

Later, COAS also met with families of army martyrs at Multan Garrison, where he lauded their sacrifices and said that the nation is proud of them. He said that nothing is more sacred than laying down one?s life for the country.

Commander Multan Corps Lieutenant General Sarfraz Sattar accompanied the COAS during the visit. 

At least 152 people have died while around 120 are under treatment as a result of the Bahawalpur oil tanker fire incident.