KHAIRPUR, July 18: Jilani union council nazim Syed Shehzad Jilani has said that if the neighbouring countries of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh can improve their literacy rate, there is no reason why Pakistan cannot and should not measure up to them.

Speaking at a gathering held here on Saturday under the aegis of the Indus Resource Centre to mark the Literacy Day, he said that it was heartening to note that women had realized the importance of education.

He urged the IRC to expand its work and assured the centre of his support if a project was initiated in Jilani UC. Education EDO Apa Saeeda Qazi expressed satisfaction over results produced by teachers of the IRC literacy centres in less than three months and said that the education department would continue to support the IRC in its projects.

Earlier, IRC district programme coordinator Naveed Khayal, in his welcoming address, said that the purpose of celebrating the Literacy Day was to encourage knowledge-seekers.

STRIKE: No sanitary work was carried out in the town for the fourth consecutive day on Sunday owing to the strike of sanitation and other staff of the taluka municipal administration. The underground drainage system has clogged and roads in different areas are submerged under overflowing sewage, causing hardships to people.

BREACH PLUGGED: A breach in the Ali Bahar Wah was plugged on Saturday evening.

CLASH: Five people were injured in a clash between two groups of villagers, near Kot Mir Mohammad, on Sunday. The injured were identified as Rafiq Ahmed, Ghani, Ghulam Rasool, Waheed and Allah Bakhsh.