ISLAMABAD, March 21 (APP):President Dr Arif Ali, highlighting the important role of media, educational institutions and mosques in creating awareness among masses about the health and cleanliness, Thursday called for joint efforts of the society to take the new Pakistan forward on all fronts.
He was speaking at a ceremony held here regarding the inclusion of Procter and Gamble (P&G) in the government’s Clean and Green Pakistan Program.
A memorandum of understanding about the inclusion of P&G in the Clean and Green Pakistan program was signed during the ceremony, which was also addressed by Minister of State for Environment Zartaj Gul.
Stressing on the importance of cleanliness, the president said as care and precautions were better than cure, 46% of the common diseases which consisted of contagious disorders could be checked through cleanliness.
He mentioned malnutrition, improper healthcare and family planning and teenage weddings as some of the major causes of stunted growth of country’s 40% children.
Similarly, the president said bottled water was also considered as a problem for environment, which could be addressed by introducing low cost water purification methods.
He said basic cleanliness, also part of Islamic faith, was essential for everyone, and it was also evident from the fact that Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) despite the paucity of water in Arab countries, stressed on Taharat (Cleanliness).
He said as cleanliness was part of great Islamic history, there was a need to create awareness about it, adding, importance of cleanliness and hand-washing should be highlighted through revision in school curriculum.
He said the messages of healthcare, cleanliness and women rights should be communicated and propagated from the plate-form mosques, which should be made part of the efforts of social changes, adding, in this respect a letter would also be written to the Islamic Ideology Council.
Minister of State for Environment Zartaj Gul in her remarks on the occasion said the holding of today’s event in connection with the International Forests Day was very important, adding, the memorandum of understanding between the P&G and Ministry of Environment was a positive development.
She said Prime Minister Imran Khan was the first leader, who had talked about giving education to the 22.5 million out of school children, tree plantation, child-health, removal of gender discrimination and youth problems.
