KARACHI : Rotary clubs in Karachi organised “Walk a Cause – Mouth Cancer, Polio Awareness and Drug Abuse” to promote oral-health awareness, early detection, prevention of tobacco- and substance-related diseases, and the continued campaign for a polio-free Pakistan, with the collaboration of Narcotics Control Department Sindh and Anti Narcotics Force.
The walk started from McDonald’s at 7:10 AM and concluded at Nishan-e-Pakistan, where the closing ceremony was held. The programme included addresses by senior Rotary leaders and distinguished guests, followed by the distribution of shields and certificates.
Honnak Baloch, DG Narcotics & Control, Government of Sindh, was the Chief Guest. In his remarks, he highlighted the importance of collective action against narcotics, drug abuse, tobacco, gutka, niswar and other harmful substances, particularly their impact on public health and young people.
District Governor Shahzad Sabir emphasised Rotary’s commitment to community service and public-health awareness, stressing that prevention, early detection and vaccination require sustained community participation.
DG MOFA Irfan Soomro highlighted the importance of collaboration between Rotary, public institutions and community organisations in advancing awareness initiatives and addressing issues that affect society at both local and national levels.
The event was chaired by Dr. Syed Naveed Manzoor, Chair, Oral Health Committee and President RCK Pearl, with Dr. Kausar Tariq, Co-Chair, Oral Health Committee, playing a key role in the initiative.
The campaign was supported by Naveed Adenwalla, President 2026–27, Rotary Club of Karachi Educational Development, alongside the participating Rotary clubs and community partners.
The initiative brought together RCK Pearl, RCK Sunset Millennium, RCK Quaid, RCK Educational Development, RCK Happy Palace and RCK Environment, with RCK Roshni, RCK Centennial and RCK Sunrise supporting the programme.
Distinguished personalities recognised during the closing ceremony included District Governor Shahzad Sabir, DGE Fahad Sikander, DGN Abdul Jabbar Sheikh, DG MOFA Irfan Soomro, Chief Guest Honnak Baloch, MPA Rehan Bandukda, Dr. Noor ul Wahab (Pakistan Dental Association), Mazhar Valgee (Kiran Hospital and Kiran Patients Welfare Society), Dr. Annie Talaal, Durdana Arshad, Areeba Hunain (HOL Foundation) and Maj Saleem of the Anti-Narcotics Force, along with representatives of participating Rotary clubs, healthcare organisations, academia and civil society.
The event received significant media coverage, helping amplify Rotary’s public-health message beyond the participants of the walk. The coverage highlighted the urgent need to discourage the use of cancer-causing substances such as gutka, chalia, niswar and tobacco, while also reinforcing the importance of preventing drug abuse and maintaining collective efforts towards a polio-free Pakistan. The strong media response helped bring these critical health and social issues to wider public attention and encouraged communities, families and young people to make healthier choices.
The closing ceremony was hosted by Advisor to the District Governor 2026–27, PP Syed Kashif Rafi, who thanked the distinguished guests, Rotary leaders, participating clubs, partners and volunteers for joining the campaign and supporting its message of healthier communities and a polio-free Pakistan.
The programme concluded with the presentation of shields and certificates to distinguished guests and supporting organisations.
