Minister Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Engineering Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed has said that poor sanitation is an important issue in far-flung areas and keeping in view this fact, Open Defecation-free Project has been launched in 10 districts of the province.
Giving details in this regard he said that this project has been initiated in collaboration with UNICEF in 1775 villages of Jhang, Chiniot, Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Lodhran, Bhakkar, Khushab, DG Khan and Rajanpur.
These districts have been chosen after a survey and two lac toilets will be constructed in three years to facilitate more than 75 thousand families, Mian Mahmood ur Rasheed said that this project directly relates to the health of the people as more than 13 per cent of citizens are deprived of the toilet facility. Meanwhile, 74 per cent of poor families are facing difficulties due to the lack of toilet facility in these areas. Mian Mehmood ur Rasheed said that Open Defecation-free Project will be moved forward gradually as there is a need to create awareness in the rural population.
He said that this project is very important for maintaining public health and we are thankful to the UNICEF for providing collaboration in this regard.
