LAHORE: Provincial Minister for Health and Population, Khawaja Imran Nazir, called for national unity and collective efforts to build a “Better Pakistan” during an awareness seminar aimed at educating youth on tuberculosis prevention. He highlighted the importance of enhancing the green passport’s value, eliminating corruption, and establishing peace following the success of ‘Operation Bunyanum Marsoos’. The event was organized by the PU Sughra Begum Center for Education Policy and Development in collaboration with the Department of Gender Studies and the Government of Punjab.

According to the University of the Punjab, the seminar included addresses from notable figures such as PU VC Prof Dr. Muhammad Ali and PD Provincial TB Control Program Dr. Talha Khan Sherwani. Nazir remarked on past fears of Pakistan’s default and credited the country’s political and military leadership with averting such a crisis, thus elevating Pakistan’s global standing. He underscored the strategic importance of Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities and the need to project a positive national image through unity, rather than divisions based on religion and politics.

Prof Dr. Muhammad Ali praised national unity and leadership, particularly during Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, and noted Pakistan’s role as a peace ambassador during international tensions. He emphasized the progress in Punjab’s health and education sectors and advocated for increased student involvement in the Chief Minister’s awareness program to boost their professional skills and sense of responsibility.

Dr. Talha Khan Sherwani and other speakers discussed the spread of tuberculosis, its risks, and the necessity of upgrading the TB control system. They stressed the role of students as ambassadors in health awareness initiatives and highlighted the social dimensions of TB as a public health issue.