ISLAMABAD: Minister for Climate Change Zahid Hamid on Wednesday said sanitation and water related issues ate away 4pc of gross domestic product (GDP).

He was speaking at the launching ceremony of Saaf Sehatmand Pakistan (Clean Healthy Pakistan) here on Wednesday.

The nationwide campaign is aimed at promoting healthy living by empowering members of the society with knowledge to change harmful practices linked with water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).

Nearly 40, 000 children die every year due to poor sanitation, he said, adding it is imperative that people from all walks life join hands to raise awareness of hygienic practices.

Zahid Hamid said that hand washing with soap before eating and after using toilet reduced chances of contracting diarrhea and respiratory diseases by 50pc.

Washing hands has positive impact over the growth of children, he said, adding that changing behaviours of people towards hygienic practices is imperative to address this serious concern.

The minister said that Pakistan was committed to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda for 2030.

He claimed that the National Assembly was the first in the world that unanimously passed a resolution adopting the SDGs addenda as its own development agenda. `It not only reflects the broad political support for SDGs but also indicates this agenda is now an important development agenda of Pakistan,` he said.

Siddiq Ahmad Khan, Country Director, Water Aid said water borne diseases claimed 40, 000 children lives very year besides landing three million people in hospitals.

Pakistan loses 4 percent of its GDP because of sanitation and water related issues,` he said.