|
CNIC and voter registration are important |
 |
 |
 |
|
Wednesday, 24 February 2010 20:12 |
|
 LODHRAN, Feb 24, 2010: Organization for Public Interest (OPI) organized a seminar on “The importance of CNIC & Voter Registration” at Al-falah Public School. The purpose of this seminar was to mobilize the community for getting their Computerized National Identity Cards and using their voting right for true democracy in the country. Primarily, the seminar was focused on women audience as the OPI believed, majority of women have no CNIC.
Talking to the seminar, Mian Wali Muhammad Kashif told that CNIC is essential document for a Pakistani national to get basic citizens’ rights. He told that CNIC is also required to cast a vote in all the elections. Mr. Kashif said that every Pakistani is responsible to cast his/her vote honestly for electing the most deserving representative.
Mr. Hasan Raza, the representative of the Election Commission of Pakistan, told that vote registration is very required for establishing a real democratic state. He said that ECP is going to launch a door-to-door voter registration campaign in coming weeks. He further told that a citizen can apply for vote registering by filing a copy of his CNIC along with a copy of most recent utility bill. Mr. Raza told, although old NIC is no longer valid however an old NIC holder can apply for vote registration by filing required documents along with an affidavit on Rs. 20 stamp paper.
Syed Zaigham Ali Shah, Mr. Gulfam Mustafa and Mirza Saleem Akhtar also discussed the importance of CNIC and voter registration. In the last session, the speakers replied to various questions raised by the participants. Most questions were related to procedures of obtaining a computerized national identity card and registering a vote. There were a total of 53 participants including 36 women who were directly benefited through this seminar. |
|
Awareness walk on Human Rights Day |
|
|
|
|
Thursday, 10 December 2009 05:01 |
|
LODHRAN, Dec 10, 2009:  An awareness walk was arranged by OPI on United Nations Human Rights Day. The purpose of the walk was to create awareness among the citizens about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and to build pressure against the violations of human rights.
The walk started from Press Club Lodhran and ended peacefully on Ghosia Chowk after passing through Chowk Thana Sadar, Kehror Morr and Railway Chowk. Dozens of citizens participated in the walk. The participants were holding banners carrying slogans in support of the human rights.
At the end of the walk at Ghosia Chowk, the participants made a chain of human hands to show their commitment to human rights and peace. At this occasion, Mr. Gulfam Mustafa, Executive Director of OPI said that OPI will continue its struggle for protecting human rights across the country. He said that the Government of Pakistan has signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the state is responsible for securing these rights. However, the ratio of human rights violations is very high in Pakistan and government need to adopt appropriate policies to stop such violations. |
|
Last Updated on Monday, 01 March 2010 19:38 |
|
|
Governance gaps in reproductive health |
|
|
|
|
Tuesday, 22 December 2009 20:04 |
|
 LODHRAN, Dec 22, 2009: Organization for Public Interest (OPI) organized a seminar on "Governance Gaps in Reproductive Health" in Jinnah Hall of Tehsil Municipal Administration here. Several health experts, government representatives and other civil society activists highlighted various gaps in governance system of reproductive health in the district.
Speaking to the seminar, Mr. Anwar Masood, District Support Manager (Punjab Rural Support Programme) said that strategic planning is required for development in health sector. He said that every citizen has the right to better health facilities and the state is responsible for providing these services. He told that PRSP was originated from Lodhran and it has expanded its coverage nationwide. He said that majority of Basic Health Units are located out of communities which create security threats for lady doctors and other staff members. He suggested to solve such basic issues before advancing in health sector.
Ms. Zahra Sajjad Zaidi, Programme Associate SPO said that the reproductive health situation of District Lodhran is very critical and a question mark for responsible officials. She said that the district government should allocate additional resources for solving the problems in the field of reproductive health.
Dr. Samina Matloob (District President Pakistan Muslim League N) said that we need to create awareness about reproductive among the communities. She told that women need extra-ordinary antenatal and postnatal care however our society does not take care of them. She said that healthy nation is not possible without healthy mothers. For that reason, she demanded that special initiatives and awareness raising is urgent need for the health of mothers.
Mr. Tariq Mehmood Sukhera (Deputy District Officer Population Welfare) said that his department is working on different projects for reproductive health in the district. However, additional funds and proper planning is required, he added.
Mr. Gulfam Mustafa, Executive Director of OPI told that the maternal mortality ratio in the district is 550/100,000 in District Lodhran which is much higher than other areas of Pakistan. Similarly, infant mortality ratio 84/1,000 is also highest not only across the country rather much higher than other developing countries. He demanded for special initiatives in the district to control this situation.
Mirza Saleem Akhtar, President Sahara Human Rights Organization said that reproductive health is a fundamental right of every citizen and state is responsible for delivering appropriate services. At this occasion, Hafiza Ishrat Khursheed, Syed Azhar Bukhari, A.D. Anjum and Dr. Arshad Arshi also elaborated the need of action for better situation in terms of reproductive health. A large number of citizens, journalists, students, health practitioners and civil society activists were participants of this event. |
|
Last Updated on Monday, 01 March 2010 19:15 |
|
Library restored after OPI's campaign |
|
|
|
|
Saturday, 19 September 2009 10:52 |
|
 LODHRAN, Sep 17, 2009: The only public library in District Lodhran is restored today following the advocacy campaign launched by OPI. During a seminar held by OPI in the library, the citizens have shared a total of Rs. 72,500 as philanthropic donations for restoration and rehabilitation of the library. In addition to this, Mr. Tariq Mehmood, Tehsil Officer (Finance) has promised to release funds for the library as soon as possible.
Allama Iqbal Municipal Library, which is the only public library in the district, has been suspended since devolution. The building of library has been captured by different departments from time to time, especially by the Police Department, Union Council, Public Safety Commission, Revenue Department and Ladies Club. The library had preserved thousands of valuable books. However, after the devolution, neither district nor tehsil government took responsibility of it and the result was closure of the library.
Considering the importance of the library for a sustainable society, OPI launched a campaign for its restoration. In this regard, OPI formed a 10-members citizens' action committee for restoration and rehabilitation of the library. With the help of the committee, OPI worked on an advocacy campaign. After motivating the stakeholders, a seminar was organized today in the hall of the library. This hall remained close for more than three years. OPI opened and cleaned it; and gathered the stakeholders for a seminar on the role of libraries for empowering youth.
During the seminar, OPI received a total of Rs. 72,500 from the participants as philanthropic donations for restoring and rehabilitating the library. The amount was handed over to the Librarian, Mr. Muhammad Hashim, at the spot. Meanwhile, Mr. Tariq Mehmood, Tehsil Officer (Finance) also promised to release government's funds for the library. Syed Asghar Ali Shah (Tehsil Nazim Lodhran) has also issued an order to provide necessary furniture to the library and appoint necessary staff as soon as possible. |
|
Last Updated on Tuesday, 02 March 2010 06:09 |
|
