RAWALPINDI: As the dengue drive launched in the garrison city, Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) on Monday asked its officials to ensure special cleaning of all the agency installations including the head office and all field offices to check the breeding of dengue mosquito larvae.

This was stated by Wasa Managing Director Rawalpindi Mohammad Saleem Ashraf while presiding over a special meeting to review the arrangements for the prevention of dengue virus.

The meeting was attended by water supplydirector Azizullah Khan and other relevant officials. Wasa Managing Director Mohammad Saleem Ashraf emphasized on cleaning tube wells, mini filtration plants valve chambers and sewer lines to eliminate the dengue mosquito larvae.

He said that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed to take proactive and timely steps to control dengue this year.

He said that this time special steps are being taken to control dengue in advance so that its losses can be avoided at the peak of the dengue season. He said Wasa is an important institution that can play its role in preventing dengue. Wasa`s primary responsibilities include drainage of standing water, effective monitoring of dengue and identification of dengue hot spots.

He directed all field officers and staff to ensure immediate drainage of stagnant water and resolve all such complaints immediately. He asked the Water Supply directorto conduct effective monitoring by visiting field offices and take strict action against negligent officers and staff.

Mr Ashraf has appealed to the public that controlling the breeding of mosquitoes is very important to make the campaign against dengue successful. The public should support Wasa Rawalpindi and the Punjab government in this campaign.

Dengue can be controlled only with the joint efforts of all stakeholders. Aamir Yasin