FAISALABAD City News

‘45pc child deaths due to malnutrition in Pakistan’

From Our Correspondent

FAISALABAD: Speakers at a seminar have said that nutritional scenario is deteriorating as malnutrition is causing 45 per cent child deaths in Pakistan.

They said this while addressing the 26th All Pakistan Food Science Conference arranged by the National Institute of Food Science, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, in collaboration with the Pakistan Society of Food Scientists and Technologists here on Tuesday. UAF Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that the country was facing a crisis of malnutrition that was among the worst in the world. He said that 32.7 per cent of the children suffered from an iron deficiency, 30.3 per cent from a vitamin-A and 40 per cent from a zinc deficiency. He called for food fortification to address the issue of food security. He said that changes in the lifestyle were aggravating the issue. He called for making the exercise and walk in the routine that would help lead to the healthy life. He said that establishment of the Punjab Food Authority would help ensure the quality food for the people. Faculty of Food, Nutrition and Home Sciences, UAF, Dean Prof Dr Masood Sadiq Butt said that 2 billion people survive on diets in the world that lack the vital vitamins and nutrients. He called for scaling up wheat flour fortification to protect future generations from nutrient deficiency. Prof Dr Faqir Anjum said that we were losing 3 per cent of Gross Domestic Product due to malnutrition. He said that most of the countries were living in the worst poverty line with 1.1 dollar per day per person. Prof Dr Muhammad Shafiq Ch said that malnutrition was one of the causes of the deaths in the children. He called for stepping up the efforts for the food fortification in order to fight the challenges of malnutrition.

 

Dacoit killed in ‘encounter’

From Our Correspondent

FAISALABAD: A dacoit was killed during a police ‘encounter’ at Chak 26/JB, Nishatabad, on Monday night.

On a tip-off, Nishatabad police conducted a raid to arrest six alleged dacoits. On seeing the police, the dacoits hid in a nearby field and allegedly opened fire at the police, which was retaliated. As a result, one unidentified dacoit was killed on the spot while his five accomplices fled.

CRACKDOWN ON POS ORDERED: Newly-appointed RPO Muhammad Bilal Siddique Kamyana has directed the all DPOs of Faisalabad Region to launch a crackdown on proclaimed offenders and court absconders. He said this while inspecting security arrangements at Iqbal Stadium where top cricket teams would participate in the Pakistan Cricket Tournament. The RPO directed to enhance police patrolling and conduct search operations to nab criminals. He warned that strict action would be taken against corrupt and negligent policemen. The RPO also checked traffic plan made for the tournament in and around the Iqbal Stadium and directed that strict checking should be ensured on all entry and exit points of the stadium.

MAN GETS DEATH: Additional Sessions Judge Pervaiz Akhtar on Tuesday awarded death sentence and Rs 100,000 fine to an accused in a blasphemy case.

According to prosecution, Muhammad Ayub of Chak 204/RB had committed blasphemy in 2008. He was caught by villagers and handed over to Madina Town police. A case was registered against Ayub under Section 295 of the PPC.

CHILD DROWNS: A one-year-old child drowned in a basket filled with water at Chak 497/RB, Mamoon Kanjun, on Monday night.

The Mehndi function of the sister of Mian Sarfraz was going on when Afshan Sarfraz fell accidentally and drowned in a basket filled with water.

GETS IMPRISONMENT: Anti-Corruption Court Special Judge Ch Wasim Akhtar on Tuesday awarded three years imprisonment and Rs 1.3 million fine to an Ahlmad in a fake degree case.

The court awarded imprisonment and fine to Ahlmad Imtiaz Ali for submitting fake degree to get job.

BIKER DIES IN ACCIDENT: A motorcyclist was killed while another sustained injuries in an accident on Canal road on Tuesday.

Sabir Ali of Nishatabad was on his way by a bike when his vehicle collided with another bike driving by Saqlain Ali of Peoples Colony. As a result, Sabir died on the spot while Saqlain sustained injuries.

COMMITS SUICIDE: A youth committed suicide at Samanabad on Tuesday. Pappu ended his life by taking poisonous pills. The motive behind the incident is said to be a domestic dispute.