Moalims

ISLAMABAD: Fitness enthusiasts, university students and health specialists stressed the need to adopt exercise as an essential habit to ensure a healthy life.

These views were expressed as the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) marked the ‘international day of university sport’ by arranging a three-kilometre-hike event on Tuesday at Trail 6, in the Margalla Hills.

More than a hundred students from IIUI, Preston University and Fatimah Jinnah Women University participated in the in trek.

IIUI Rector Prof Dr Masoom Yasinzai announced that universities from Ukraine, Hungary and Russia are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding with IIUI to launch a joint-degree program on sports sciences, with the help of HEC.

“We are aiming to provide students an international platform for higher education in sports,” Yasinzai said, adding that, “I hope that other universities will follow.”

HEC Executive Director Dr Ghulam Raza said sports are a common agenda and interest that works as a binding force, linking countries and regions.

“Sports have always been an integral part of education to enhance performance, social interaction and efficiency,” Raza said in his welcome speech.

“We hope to continue sports-related activities in universities as they are the best places where sports can flourish,” he said.

Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University Vice-Chancellor Dr Javed Ikram spoke about immense health benefits of sport and exercise in daily life.

He said physical activities matter a lot when you are combating diseases like diabetes.

“Interestingly, recent research conducted in inner Lahore shows that diabetes was found to be around 18 per cent, which reflects probability of diabetes on a national level,” Ikram explained.

“Alarmingly, the rates of obesity and diabetes are going to double in the next 22 years, which means a quarter of the Pakistanis will turn diabetic.

“Another study indicates that Pakistan has hypertension prevalence at the age of 42, meaning every second Pakistani is hypertensive,” he said.

“The main cause behind these alarming trends is the automation of daily life, where most work is done by machines,” Ikram added.

“I hope this activity does not just remain a ceremonial walk, and we make it a point to walk every day,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 18th, 2015.