MANSEHRA: Speakers at a seminar on Wednesday called for joint efforts against iceaddiction among students and deforestation in the district.

“Though playing an important role in increasing literacy rate in the country, the private sector should also focus on the grooming of students to prepare them for all situations,” deputy commissioner Aurangzeb Haider Khan told the seminar on ‘role and responsibility as a citizen of Pakistan’ at a local school on Wednesday.

The event was attended by students and teachers from across the district.

The speakers highlighted the use of ice drug in educational institutions, deforestation, role of students in community development, governance system, education and democracy, and responsibilities of district administration andmedia.

The deputy commissioner said he foresaw that major tasks currently in the government’s domain would be executed through public-private partnership.

Umar Gul Khan said students were the future of the country, so they should be equipped with knowledge.

“The use of ice and other drugs is alarmingly on the rise in educational institutions but nobody is ready to discuss it publicly. The issue should be highlighted in curriculum,” he said.

Khadija Yousuf said the large-scale deforestation was a major cause for environmental issues and high disease incidence in Hazara division.

“Instead of pointing the finger at other nations, we should protect our forests and check activities, which cause air pollution,” she said.

Sunniya Sitwat and Mohammad Anis of the United Nations Development Programme said biodiversity was required for life on earth but hunting and deforestation caused extinction of species in the country.

FINED: The tehsil administration on Wednesday fined many hoteliers for selling unhygienic food in Siren valley.

The action was taken by assistant commissioner Rabia Sajjad during a surprise visit to Jabori and Schain areas.

Also in the day, the Kaghan police arrested a man wanted for murder, murder attempt and other crimes.

They also held a drug peddler and seized 3kg charas and an unlicensed pistol.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2019