PESHAWAR: Twenty students from 14 universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa took part in a speech competition held here to mark World Toilet Day.

The second provincial inter-university speech competition was organised by WaStan Cell of Local Council Board of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in collaboration with Khyber Medical University (KMU) Peshawar. The theme of the competition was ‘Role of environmental sanitation in building a healthy society.’

The event was hosted by Imranullah Khan Mohmand, the assistant coordinator of Local Government Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The contestants delivered speeches in English and Urdu, highlighting key issues such as importance of environmental cleanliness, impact of climate change and global warming, and role of public participation in tackling these challenges.

In the English category, Abdul Basit from Sarhad University secured first position, followed by Laiba Yousaf of City University and Nawal Sohail from Iqra National University.

In the Urdu category, Haseeb Ahmad from Gomal University Dera Ismail Khan claimed the top spot, flowed by Manahil Saqib from Iqra University Peshawar by clinching second position and Abdullah Shah from University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences with third position.

Addressing the event, KMU Vice-chancellor Prof Ziaul Haq highlighted the role of sanitation and hygiene in preventing diseases and fostering international cooperation. He commended provincial government for focusing on hygiene and public health by encouraging active involvement of youth in promoting a culture of cleanliness.

Gandhara University Vice-chancellor Prof Ijaz Khattak and Dr Awais Qarni from University of Peshawar also elaborated on the importance of hygiene in building a healthier society. They stressed the need for sustained awareness campaigns and collective action to address sanitation challenges effectively.

The event concluded with an award giving ceremony where shields and certificates were presented to winners, celebrating their outstanding performances. Faculty members, administrative officers and students from various institutions attended the event, reflecting a united commitment to advancing public health awareness.

The competition underscored the dedication of educational institutions across the province to fostering sustainable practices and promoting essential public health initiatives aimed at building healthy communities.

Published in Dawn, November 20th, 2024