LOWER DIR: Speakers at a seminar here on Monday expressed concern over the growing number of diabetic patients in Pakistan and suggested launching special awareness programmes to curb the fatal disease.

The Timergara Teaching Hospital in collaboration with a private pharmaceutical company arranged the seminar at the health facility.

Doctors, paramedics, nurses and elders were in attendance.

Earlier, the participants held a walk, carrying banners to create awareness among people about the steps to be taken to avoid the disease.

District health officer Dr Irshad Rughani, hospital’s medical superintendent Dr Ali Asghar, diabetes expert Dr Rab Nawaz, medical expert Dr Saeedur Rehman, district surgeon Dr Bakht Sarwar and others spoke on the occasion.

They said diabetes led to renal failure, cardiac disorder, blindness, high blood pressure, anemia, bone disorder and obesity. He said life expectancy could be increased with proper care and medical treatment.

The speakers said disease could become epidemic if precautionary measures were not taken. They asked people to take less sugar, do regular exercise, and make daily walk their hobby. They said people should take more vegetables and fruits in their meals instead of spicy and fatty foods.

OPEN KUTCHERY: The district administration arranged an open kutchery for minorities on Monday. Additional deputy commissioner (general) Abdul Wali Khan presided over the event.

Minority community representatives demanded a separate cemetery, quota in government jobs, residential quarters for government employees, a housing scheme, a community hall, Christmas package, public holidays for Christmas and renovation of churches.

Mr Wali said quota for minority community in government jobs was being implemented. He directed the Timergara and Balambat tehsildars to speed up work on a Christian cemetery.

DEMAND: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz district information secretary Bahramad Said on Monday demanded of the chief election commissioner to impose ban on early resignation of lawmakers.

Talking to journalists, he said billions of rupees were spent on general elections so the elected representatives should complete their term.

He termed announcement of PTI chief Imran Khan to quit assemblies as dishonest and said country could not afford early elections.

Published in Dawn, November 29th, 2022