The Punjab Government is being applauded on social media for being responsive in the face of an accident, mere moments after following a tweet by a citizen.

Nighat Daad, a Pakistani lawyer and internet activist, came across a severe accident while coming from Faisalabad to Lahore. Her first response was of calling 1122, the hotline for rescue services, but she was informed that all the emergency ambulances are busy and the injured will have to wait.

Daad, instead of waiting, decided to try another way and called out the Government of Punjab on their official handle on Twitter:

.@GovtOfPunjab Thr is a severe accident on GT Road near Bhikhi Shiekhupura, 1122 Shiekupura have no ambulances ATM. Injured r waiting 4 help — Nighat Dad (@nighatdad) September 15, 2016

She also followed up with another tweet with details of the injured, which included women and children as well.

Injured include women and children, I have called 1122, they have no emergency support ATM. Please look into this. — Nighat Dad (@nighatdad) September 15, 2016

After just 10 minutes of sending out the first tweet, she got a reply from Punjab Government.

thank you for informing us. It has been conveyed to rescue team and DCO Sheikhupura. — Punjab 2013-18 (@Punjab13to18) September 15, 2016

Another 45 minutes later, the Punjab Government sent out another tweet along with the information about the incident. According to it, only two of the four people in the accident were injured.

The injured had been taken to DHQ hospital, treated and then released.

out of four people who faced the accident, two were injured. They were taken to nearby DHQ hospital, treated & released. — Punjab 2013-18 (@Punjab13to18) September 15, 2016

They even attached a screenshot from what seems like a WhatsApp conversation, providing the details of the injured and their injuries. All of the four people involved were in stable condition.

Impressed, Nighat Daad herself shared the whole interaction on her social media profile. It has since attracted hundreds of likes and shares.

This incident highlights just how social media can be used for good, even by official circles. In the 21st century, new media like social networks can help individuals and organizations get the word out, become first responders, and even avert a tragedy.

Image — NHA