MARDAN, Sept 29: Members of different welfare organisations, health officials and civil society members on Thursday held a walk in Mardan city to create awareness among common people about dengue virus.

The walk led by the executive district health officer (EDO) Dr Ayub Roz was organised by different welfare organisations of the district.

The participants distributed pamphlets and other informative literature among the public. They also carried banners and placards inscribed with information about the preventive measures to avoid the risk of dengue.

Addressing participants, the EDO health, Dr Ayub Roz said that the health officials had been taking measures to control the dengue epidemic.

He said the people needn't fear the dengue fever and needed to adopt some simple and necessary preventive measures in this regard.

He pointed out that thousands of people died annually due to TB and Malaria throughout the country, which was an alarming number, but the people did not fear such diseases as much they were of dengue.

Mr Roz asked the educated class, social workers and youth to come forward to create awareness among the people about the dengue fever.

He, however, lauded the role of various welfare organisations which had been performing positive role in this regard.

WOMEN ROLE: Pakistan People's Party parliamentary leader in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Abdul Akbar Khan on Thursday said only education could bring social and political awareness among the womenfolk.

The PPP leader expressed these views at a seminar regarding political rights of women, which was organised by Pakistan Rural Development Programme at the Mardan press club. The seminar was also addressed by the programme coordinator Asif Saeed, director Shazia Hina, former general secretary Mardan press club Bashir Adil and others.

Mr Abdul Akbar said the constitution of Pakistan had given equal rights to men and women; however, there were old customs and cultures which had become hurdles in the way of women rights.

He urged welfare organisations and different NGOs to come forward and remove these hurdles to provide due rights to women.

“The Election Commission has also to perform vital role by establishing separate polling stations for women keeping in view the local customs and traditions in backward areas,” he added.