SWABI: Speakers at a seminar here on Tuesday called for controlling the rapidly increasing population for sustainable economic progress and prosperity of people.

The seminar on `Pakistan`s population and feeble economy` was held at the Swabi Press Club.

The speakers said Pakistan`s population had already exceeded the 235 million mark, pointing out that efforts to control growth in population had failed to materialise.

Prof Bakhtiar Khan, a retired principal and writer, said Pakistan`s population was increasing at two per cent annually, which was alarming, posing a grave threat to the country`s already constrained resources.

`Any policy designed for population control should take all the stakeholders on board,` he said.

Javed Inqilabi, divisional general secretary of Pakistan Peoples Party, said controlling the population would ease the pressure on the economy and help in the equal distribution of resources.

Rohal Amin, former president of Samajee Behbood Rabita Council, said there was tremendous pressure on Pakistan`s feeble economy due to the unbridled increase in population amid the limited resources. `It is the responsibility of the government to take steps to tackle this issue of high priority.

Earlier, press club president Jalil Ahmad Khan welcomed the guests, saying such gatherings would be held regularly to highlight national and local issues.

ELECTIONS: Swabi Tehsil Municipal Administration`s Phool Group won the intra-union elections of United Municipal Workers Union by getting 57 votes against Chand Tara Group`s 39 votes.

Bilal Hussain was elected president and Noor Mohammad general secretary.

Shaukat Ali Anjum, central president of Pakistan Workers Federation, and other leaders monitored the election process.

CHILD DROWNS: A four-year-old girl drowned in a canal in Gango Dher area, Rescue 1122 officials said.

They said Haya Noor drowned while playing on the canal`s bank in front of her house.

A rescue team recovered the body and handed it over to the family.

Meanwhile, the son of Pakistan International Human Rights Organisation`s Swabi leader was critically injured when he was attacked by unidentified assailants with daggers and knives on Tuesday.

Political parties` leaders and civil society members strongly condemned the attack on Tanveer Sultan, the son of Sultan Arif Sahib. They demanded the early arrest ofthe attackers.