By Imtiaz Hussain
SUKKUR: Bhittai Social Watch & Advocacy (BSWA) and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University in Larkana jointly organized the “Nutrition Festival–Khairpur” on 30 September 2025.
The event took place in Kachi Abadi near BHU Sadar ji Bhatyoon, Taluka Kingri, District Khairpur, under the “Strengthening Local Civil Society and Community-Based Organizations and their Capacity in the Nutrition Sector in Sindh” project, in collaboration with the European Union, International Rescue Committee (IRC), Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO) and Medical Emergency Resilience Foundation (MERF).
The festival aimed to raise awareness about malnutrition, highlight the role of communities and stakeholders, and showcase achievements and lessons learned from targeted union councils across the district by all CSO partners of the SIGN project. The inaugural session outlined the objectives of the event and the project’s success. Students then presented speeches and tableaus, followed by a panel discussion on “The Importance of Nutrition in a Healthy Society.”
The concluding session saw certificates of participation and appreciation distributed among students, CSOs, government departments, and other stakeholders. The festival’s chief guest, Muhammad Ali Shah, Assistant Commissioner Kingri and Chairperson of the Sub-Divisional Coordination Committee (SDCC) on Nutrition Kingri, opened the proceedings. Khadim Hussain Mirani, Executive Director of BSWA, delivered the welcome address, while Sagheer Hussain Dahar from IRC highlighted the objectives of the festival.
Dr Majid Ali Abbasi from Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College presided over the panel discussion, which included Dr Jotu Mal, ADHO, Health Department Khairpur; Zahida Jiskani from WADO; Ali Raza Memon, Nutrition Coordinator/ In-Charge PPHI Khairpur-B, Gambat; Dr Nazeer Ahmed Mallah, Senior Veterinary Doctor, Livestock Department; and Ihsanullah Bhand, Climate Change Coordinator, Sewa Development Trust. Qaiser Alli Tanweri from WADO moderated the discussion.
Guests of honor included Qamaruddin Chana, In-Charge Child Protection/Deputy Director, Social Welfare Khairpur; Manzoor Hussain Abbasi, Chairman UC Sadar ji Bhatyoon; Ali Raza Memon, Nutrition Coordinator/ In-Charge PPHI Khairpur-B, Gambat; Ali Ansar Sindhu, President NDSP; Adv. Bashir Ahmed Bhand; Dr Nazeer Ahmed Mallah; Madam Farhana, Principal IRC Sojhro School Fatehullah Ghumro; and Dr Muhammad Azim Kanhir, In-Charge BHU Sadar ji Bhatyoon.
Students from IRC Sojhro School Fatehullah Ghumro and NICE Educational Academy Sadar ji Bhatyoon delivered speeches and tableaus, while at the BSWA Model School, Ghulam Fareed Narejo Zuahib Ahmed Abbasi recited verses from the Holy Quran and Saeed Ahmed Mangnejo performed a Naat.
The festival also featured stalls from Ghulam Muhammad Medical College, the Livestock Department, the Soil & Water Testing Laboratory of the Agriculture Department, BSWA, WADO, and NDSP, displaying products and informational materials.
At the conclusion of the event, the chief guest distributed certificates of appreciation and participation among attendees. Jabbar Khaskheli, Project Manager at BSWA, served as the moderator for the proceedings, ensuring the smooth flow of the day’s activities.
