-Urges Ulema, media to preach awareness on health, social issues
From Abid Usman
LAHORE: President Dr Arif Alvi on Monday stressed the need for taking onboard all stakeholders of society for effective dissemination of messages related to social issues including population control.
Presiding over a meeting of Population Welfare at Governor’s House in Lahore, the President said that it was highly important to identify needs and resources to achieve desired goals in any field.
He suggested to engage Ulema and media to create awareness on issues like breastfeeding, nutrition, maternal nutrition and other related matters. He said that media could play a vibrant role in spreading the message to control high growth of population.
He mentioned that during COVID-19, the media effectively created awareness among people regarding adopting precautionary measures to stay safe from coronavirus.
President Alvi said that while talking population growth issue, all aspects should be taken along instead of focusing on one particular matter.
The President was briefed on population welfare and key initiatives in this regard in the meeting.
During the meeting various suggestions were given for effective implementation of ideas aimed to control growing population.
Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, Punjab Population Welfare Minister Muhammmad Hashim Dogar, Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Faisal Sultan and others were present in the meeting.
Earlier Sunday, President Dr Arif Alvi said that while promoting the country’s cultural heritage, it was also a must to focus the commercial appreciation of the folk artists and craftsmen who kept the culture alive.
Addressing the award distribution ceremony among artists and craftsmen who participated in 10-day Lok Mela concluded here on the day, the president said Pakistan was rich with cultural heritage particularly the Buddhist artifacts. He said the folk culture and artifacts also attracted the tourists as mostly the tourists were interested in visiting the buildings and heritage sites to judge the nation’s history as well as the development.
The ceremony was attended by First Lady Samina Alvi, Secretary of National Heritage and Culture Division Nosheen Javed, Executive Director Lok Virsa Talha Ali Khan Kushvah besides artists from across the country.
The president said the faith-based restrictions for Muslims on drawing pictures led to the promotion of geometric art which also introduced a distinctive Islamic architecture like arches supporting huge domes and buildings.
The president who also distributed cash awards among the artists and craftsmen and shields among the officials, said the influx of Sufis and conquerors like Muhammad Bin Qasim further enriched the local culture by enhancing the diversity.
He said that taking advantage of the available space at Lok Virsa, the frequency of Lok Mela-like activities should be enhanced for encouragement as well as the commercial uplift of the artists. The president also offered a lobby of the Aiwan-e-Sadr for curation with artworks for promotion of art and cultural heritage through the visiting high profile dignitaries.
He said the government alone could not promote the art and culture rather it required the activities like exhibitions and fairs like Lok Mela, though he observed that the nostalgia was also driving the people back to local culture and art.
