As per instructions of Punjab Chief Minister, Shahbaz Sharif, Environment Protection Department (EPD) Punjab organised an awareness walk from Liberty Roundabout to Main Boulevard to observe Sunday as an Anti-Dengue Day as well as educate the masses regarding the epidemic measures of dengue.
MPA Kh. Imran Nazir, Director General EPA Maqsood Ahmed Lakh, officers and officials of the department, representatives of various NGOs, people from various walks of life and a large number of students participated in the walk. While former secretary environment and Chief Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan Sajjad Saleeem Hotiana especially participated in the walk.
Meanwhile Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had directed all the government departments to mark September 2 as an Anti-Dengue Day and the departments were asked to organise different activities including walks, seminars and awareness camps. The walk participants were holding banners and they also distributed pamphlets and leaflets among the citizens. An awareness camp was also established at Liberty Roundabout and the EPD officials remained there till evening.
Talking to the media on this occasion, Kh. Imran Nazir, Chief Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan Sajjad Saleem Hotiana and DG EPD said that dengue is a reality that we cannot wash away. We have to live with it for which awareness and source elimination of one particular breed of this mosquito is absolutely necessary. They said that Punjab government is utilising all its resources for the elimination of dengue breeding sites in the city. He said that eight anti-dengue squads of EPD Punjab has been working for past many months in all parts of the city for the elimination of dengue and so far more than 2000 places have been inspected. He said that the department will continue its efforts till the day dengue will be completely eliminated.