Increased Dengue Risk Prompts Administration Launch Comprehensive Strategy
RAWALPINDI, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 18th Aug, 2026)
Commissioner Salman Ghani and the Station Commander Rawalpindi jointly chaired a high-level meeting at the Commissioner’s Office to review and finalize a coordinated anti-dengue strategy for Rawalpindi Division and adjoining cantonment areas.
Representatives from the Rawalpindi and Chaklala Cantonment Boards, Islamabad Administration, health authorities and municipal departments attended the meeting.
Commissioner Salman Ghani described dengue as a regional challenge requiring coordination across administrative boundaries and called for intensified field operations to prevent mosquito breeding following recent monsoon rains.
He directed authorities to:
- Ensure strict compliance with anti-dengue protocols
- Take legal action against violators
- Use third-party verification to improve the accuracy of field data.
He identified July and August as critical months for mosquito breeding and instructed teams to:
- Strengthen surveillance
- Eliminate larvae
- Focus on identified hotspots
The commissioner also ordered a three-tier monitoring system for field teams and directed that action be taken against negligent staff.
The Health Department was asked to:
- Maintain adequate supplies of medicines and treatment facilities in hospitals
- Display public advisories in high-risk areas.
According to officials, nine confirmed dengue cases had been reported across the division, including six in Rawalpindi and one each in Murree, Chakwal and Jhelum.
Since January 1, surveillance teams have:
- Inspected 3,965,494 households across Rawalpindi Division and identified 78,571 positive breeding indicators
- Inspected 1,357,459 outdoor commercial and public sites, of which 13,664 were found positive and treated
Enforcement operations since the beginning of the year have resulted in:
- 1,422 FIRs
- The sealing of 476 commercial premises
- 1,816 challans and fines totaling Rs1.915 million for violations of anti-dengue standard operating procedures.
As part of public awareness efforts, schools and universities are conducting dedicated “Zero Periods” and clean-up activities, while the Auqaf Department is using local mosques to disseminate dengue prevention messages.
