RAWALPINDI: The divisional administration on Tuesday asked the district administration and cantonment boards in Rawalpindi to adopt an effective three-tier supervisory mechanism to monitor dengue prevention activities.
It said that the performance of field teams should be monitored regularly and action be taken against officials for negligence or poor performance.
Commissioner Rawalpindi Salman Ghani along with the station commander chaired a meeting on dengue prevention and control. The commissioner said that all stakeholders must move beyond jurisdictional limitations and work together to eliminate the threat of dengue.
The meeting, held at the commissioner office, was attended by representatives of all relevant departments, including the Rawalpindi and Chaklala Cantonment Boards as well as the Islamabad administration.
Addressing the participants, Mr Ghani said that the recent monsoon rains have created favourable conditions for dengue breeding. Therefore, timely and proactive measures must be taken to prevent the spread of the virus.
He warned that negligence and violations of dengue SOPs posed a risk to the entire community and added that strict legal action be taken against those failing to comply with anti-dengue protocols. He stressed the need to move beyond paperwork by improving the quality of field operations and placing special emphasis on third-party validation of dengue activities.
The commissioner stated that July and August are the most critical months for dengue breeding, and directed all departments to further intensify field operations. He instructed that dengue larvae be identified and eliminated promptly while ensuring continuous surveillance of identified hotspots.
He directed the Health Department to ensure the availability of the required treatment facilities and medicines in hospitals. Posters and banners should also be displayed in areas that were affected by dengue during the previous year.
During the briefing, participants were informed that nine confirmed dengue cases had been reported in Rawalpindi Division, including six in Rawalpindi, one each in Murree, Chakwal and Jhelum.
From January 1 to date, 3,965,494 households have been inspected across Rawalpindi Division, of which 78,571 were found positive for dengue breeding indicators. Similarly, 1,357,459 locations were inspected, with 13,664 sites identified as positive, where the required preventive and remedial actions were subsequently carried out.
Since January 1, 2026, enforcement actions against violations of dengue SOPs have resulted in 1,422 FIRs, 476 premises being sealed, 1,816 challans issued, and fines amounting to Rs1.915 million.
The meeting was also told that students from schools, colleges and universities were being actively involved in dengue awareness campaigns to promote cleanliness and preventive practices at homes and educational institutions.
The participation of students and volunteers has been ensured in awareness activities, while educational institutions are conducting dengue awareness sessions during zero periods.
In addition, the Auqaf Department is regularly making public awareness announcements in mosques to encourage preventive measures against dengue.
Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2026
