DADU, April 15: Speakers at a seminar here have observed that poverty is increasing in Pakistan because of high population rate while resources are decreasing at the same time.

The seminar on ‘Global call against poverty’ was organized by an NGO, Village Shadabad, at the zila council hall here on Friday.

Speaking on the occasion, EDO (revenue) Ghulam Akbar Leghari said poverty could not be eradicated unless there was a check on rising population rate.

Mr Leghari said the young people should also pay attention on obtaining technical education to earn better wages which would help alleviate poverty in their areas.

Kachho Foundation president Ghulam Hyder Siyal said the government and international donor agencies should jointly initiate mega projects and provide resources in remote areas to eradicate poverty.

Social worker and poet Ahmed Khan Madhosh said social organizations should play their due role for the eradication of poverty.

Village Shadabad president Akbar Lashari said the WTO and the United Nations should take immediate measures and release funds for areas where abject poverty reigned.

Jordan president Bakht Jamal Soomro, social worker Hina Memon and Zulfiqar asked the federal government to provide funds for eradication of poverty. A large number of social workers, NGO activists, teachers and lawyers attended the seminar.

SURPRISE VISIT: Assistant District Education Officer (male) Niaz Ali Jatoi paid a surprise visit to different primary schools in Dadu on Friday. He checked staff attendance registers and suspended 35 absent teachers.

EMERGENCY: Executive District Officer (Health) Dr Dhani Bux Thebo said on Friday that a state of emergency had been declared in taluka hospital Mehar and health centres of Faridabad, Mado, Gozo Radhan and Thariri Mohabbat.

Speaking to reporters, he said during a visit to the Mehar taluka hospital he was informed that after consuming contaminated water of the Hamal Lake at least 70 people belonging to various villages of taluka Warah were admitted to different hospitals of taluka Mehar in three days.

Dr Thebo, however, said all of them were discharged after treatment. He said the health department staff had been directed to remain at their work places round the clock to meet any emergency.