Proportion of depressed men comparable to women
T
HE proportion of men who experience symptoms of depression may be simi lar to the proportion of women with depression when doctors look for non-traditional symptoms, according to a new study. Researchers found that one third of both men and women met the criteria for a depression diagnosis when traditional and alternative symptoms - such as aggression and sleep problems were taken into account. “You end up getting very similar rates of depression,” Lisa Martin, the study’s lead author from the University of Michigan in Dearborn, told Reuters Health. About 16 percent of Americans currently meet the criteria for depression, Martin and her colleagues write in JAMA Psychiatry. Previous research has found women are about twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with the condition. Other studies, however, have suggested that men don’t exhibit the same symptoms of depression as women. Or, they may not be as willing to divulge their symptoms to a doctor. For example, previous studies found that depressed men are more likely to show signs of anger, self-destruction, self-distractions and irritability rather than outward sadness. For the new study, Martin and her colleagues used data from a nationally-representative survey of 3,310 women and 2,382 men that is used to measure the prevalence of men-
tal illness. When the researchers used a scale that was designed to assess depression symptoms common among men, they found about 26 percent of men and about 22 percent of women met the criteria for depression. When they used a scale that included both traditional and alternative symptoms, there was little difference between the two groups: about 33 percent of women met the criteria for depression, compared to about 31 percent of men. “Paying attention to a couple of these other symptoms allowed men who didn’t really meet the threshold of symptoms to be considered,” Martin said. “Right now we’re in an interesting place where clinicians and some research say we really need to pay attention to (alternative depression symptoms),” she added. In addition to decreasing quality of life, previous research has suggested depression is linked to smoking, alcohol use, inactivity and trouble sleeping, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention.Martin said her research and past findings suggest doctors should change how they assess their patients to help identify those experiencing or at risk for depression. “It doesn’t do us a lot of good to know more men get depression more than we thought if we can’t get them through the door to get help,” Martin said.
Youngsters enjoying themselves at a waterfall in Saidpur Model Village which was formed after rains.
SC seeks CDA policy I SLAMABAD —Justice Ejaz
Ahmad Chaudhry has remarked “ gross violation of CDA master plan has been made with reference to agriculture farms as people have constructed homes and matter has assumed odd situation. He further remarked “CDA had started this process to favor its favorites. A 3-member bench of Supreme Court (SC) presided over by Justice Anwar Zahir Jamali took up the CDA agriculture farms houses case here Thursday. Ali Zafar advocate appeared in the court at the inception of hearing of the case. He told the court Munir Paracha, counsel for CDA and Attorney General (AG) Munir A Malik are in Karachi due to Karachi law and order case. CDA was to work out policy in collaboration with government and present it in the court but it could not be prepared. The court Deputy Head of Mission Algerian Embassy Khiari Abderrahim paid a farewell call on remarked as AG was not present Executive Editor Pakistan Observer Gauhar Zahid Malik, in Islamabad.—PO photo and his presence was must in this case therefore the hearing of the by Sultan Bashir case is put off till September, 12. CDA should present its policy with regard to agriculture farms in the meantime, court directed.—Online
Testing and evaluation in Discipline of Humanities STAFF REPORTER
ISLAMABAD—Literature is mirror of a society, in the aspect of research in literature, students must possess not only a literary taste but they should also keep in mind about salient features like use of language, coherence and literary criteria. These views were expressed by the speakers of a two-day workshop on “Testing and Evaluation in the Discipline of Humanities” organized by Urdu Department (Female Campus) of the International Islamic Uni-
versity Islamabad (IIUI). Renowned literary figures affiliated with literature and research, Dr. Najiba Arif, Sheeraz Fazaldad, Dr. Humaira Ishfaq and Dr. Sabahat Mushtaq delivered valuable lectures. Speaking in workshop, Dr Najiba Arif said that best literature must reflect the reality of life, while both literature and research be accordance with contemporary circumstances of the society. Dr. Humaira discussed Urdu literature and use of new tech-
nology and modern ways in its teaching. She added that societal behaviors and socio political circumstances of the society get absorb in the literature. Sheeraz Fazaldad, while talking on the importance of the workshop said that there is a dire need to introduce students with new avenues of modern research. Dr. Sabahaht, in her lecture discussed way of expression and use of language for research. At the end of the workshop, Director female campus distributed certificates among the participants of the workshop.
State Bank delegation visits Arid Agriculture University CITY REPORTER ISLAMABAD—A three member delegation of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) headed by Mazharul-Haq, Director Development Finance Support Department on Thursday visited Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (AAUR), with an aim to establish linkages between technical and educational institutions and the banking industry. The delegation met with the University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad and faculty members to explore possibilities of utilizing AAUR’s strength for conduct of seminars, workshops and awareness programs on development finance for the benefit of majority of
potential stakeholders. In the meeting, participants also focused on exploring commercially viable proposals on area and region specific projects which could be financed under existing bank credit schemes. They agreed to initiate development fiance course and specialization to cater to the growing demand for the development finance and inviting participants from financial institutions in the programs conducted by AAUR having some commercial interest for the banks. It was also decided in the meeting that both parties will conduct regional surveys studies on key and burning issues relating to expansion, growth and impact of development fi-
nance. On the occasion, Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz gave a presentation on educational, research and extension programmes of the university and its future plans. He hailed the financial support from the delegation for different projects like raising nurseries, community center for quality foods, olive plantation and ladies hostel. In the meeting, it was decided that a joint conference will be organized to create awareness about Development Finance Support Program by SBP, other commercial banks and AAUR by inviting the general public, graduates, alumni and industry owners in November. A committee was also constituted from both sides to make arrangements.
PEHS stands shelved CITY REPORTER I SLAMABAD —Park Enclave Housing Scheme ( PEHS) launched by CDA stands shelved due to lack of funds. CDA sources said CDA administration had decided to spend a sum of Rs 3.8 billion in connection with this scheme but CDA Board has not approved its PC-1 and this way the execution of this scheme is being delayed. Sources said Capital Development Authority is also facing difficulties in payment of compensation to Build Up property as it lacks funds to pay compensation on account of acquisition of land.
Pak attaches importance to ties with Ukraine SHARAFAT KAZMI I SLAMABAD — Speaker National Assembly has said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Ukraine and expressed desire to further strengthen these relations through enhancing parliamentary and economic ties. He said this while talking to the Ambassador of Ukraine Mr. V. Lakomov, who called on him in the Parliament House. Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said that Pakistan and Ukraine shared views and perceptions on global issues and both the countries were desirous for peace and prosperity in the world. He said that both the
countries should strengthen their parliamentary linkages through enhancing interaction between both the legislatures. The Speaker said that huge economic potential exists in both the countries which needed to be exploited for mutual benefit. He proposed that interaction between business communities of both the countries should be encouraged. The Speaker was pleased to note that Ukraine-Pakistan Friendship Parliamentary Group was the largest in Ukrainian Parliament. He informed the Ambassador that Pak-Ukraine Friendship would be formed in Na-
Violation of hygiene rules
Notices served on hotels, bakeries ISLAMABAD—The District Administration, Islamabad on Thursday issued 89 notices to hotels and bakeries for violating hygiene and sanitation rules and took samples of 31 food items for laboratory tests. During its ongoing drive against sub-standard food items and spurious medicines in the Federal Capital, District Health Department, Food Department and Health Directorate, Capital Development Authority (CDA) conducted inspections of 235 food outlets in city and rural areas during last week.The District Administration has submitted 53 challans in the courts against the violators of pure food laws and poor hygienic conditions at the premises of food outlets. The inspection teams also destroyed sub-standard food items including pakoras and samosas, sub-standard mineral water bottles, 35 kilograms
cooked food items, sub-standard oil bottles and ketch-up bottles. Four premises of hotels and bakeries were sealed partially for violation of food laws and 120 filthy utensils confiscated. The administration has directed the food outlets to ensure compliance of food laws failing which stern action would be taken against the violators. Meanwhile, Drug Inspector, Islamabad, Sardar Shabbir Ahmed conducted 26 inspections of medical stores during last week and sealed four medical stores for violations of Drug Act, 1976 and seized six stocks on account of misbranding, unregistered and sub- standard drugs and sent 16 samples of drugs to the laboratory for testing.Drug Inspector, Islamabad, has directed the drug sale outlets to ensure compliance of Drug Act, 1976.—APP
tional Assembly shortly so that it could start its activities for bringing both the friendly countries more closer. Ambassador of Ukraine Mr. V. Lakomov said that his country was also keen to strengthen its relations and enhance cooperation with Pakistan in all sectors of the economy. He said that Ukraine was having a high literacy ratio and was providing educational facilities to many countries including Pakistan. He said that his country had also vast expertise in space technology and engineering and Pakistan could also benefit from that.
Shopkeepers fined
Ghazi’s son files contempt petition ISLAMABAD—Haroon Rashid Ghazi, son of Abdul Rashid Ghazi, former Khteeb of Lal Masjid, on Thursday submitted a contempt of court petition in IHC against police officials over not registering case against former military ruler Pervez Musharraf despite the court order. The petitioner made IG Islamabad, SSP and SHO Aabpara police station parties to the case. The court would hear the petition today (Friday). The IHC had ordered the Islamabad Police to register a case against former president Gen (R) Pervez Musharraf for the Lal Masjid operation when Abdul Rashid Ghazi’s son filed a petition in the court seeking the registration of an FIR against Musharra.—INP
R AWALPINDI —Special antiencroachment drive launched by the Rawal Town Municipal Administration (RTMA) and the Traffic Police is in full swing to remove encroachments from markets and the city roads, causing nuisance to customers, pedestrians and motorists. The joint operation is being carried out to remove encroachments from different markets and ensure smooth flow of traffic at all busy roads of the town. RTMA’s special enforcement squad on Thursday visited Commercial Market, Murree road, Pirwadhai road, Gangmandi road, Holy Family Hospital road, Eidgah road, Raja Bazar and Khayaban-e-Sir Syed and purged the areas of encroachers. Town Officer (Regulations) Abid Hussain Malik and Superintendent Pervez Mughal supervised the operation in the selected areas pointed out by the Traffic Police. The RTMA team confiscated four truckload of goods from the raided localities and imposed Rs 1,000 fine to 70 shopkeepers each for their involvement in encroachments.—APP
August 31 A LITERARY reference in memory of renowned poet, writer and founding Chairman of literary organization ‘Dhandara’, Late Safdar Shahid Malik will be held in Faiz-ul-Islam Complex, Faizabad here on Saturday.
Attitude of society making eunuchs beggars C ITY REPORTER ISLAMABAD —The pain of being treated as a useless person can better be inquired from someone like self-made eunuchs who are slowly becoming typical beggars after being persistently ignored by the society. Even after clear directives of the Supreme Court to grant equal rights to the eunuchs in all fields of life including education and employment in a dignified manner, the society is not
ready to accept and treat them as a normal creature. A surge has been witnessed in eunuchs’ begging as they can be seen pleading for money at traffic signals and shopping areas of the twin cities besides visiting door-todoor for the purpose to meet their both ends. People also willingly donate hefty amounts encouraging them in the business as they think that they are the most deserving in this field. “Who want to be dishonored? We have no other option except begging as no one is
willing to employ or engage us in any productive work,” said Baji Perveen, a transgender begging at commercial market, Rawalpindi. She said her community also wants to spend a normal life but the society did not allow them to do so. “We also wish to get education, get employed in different organizations and spend life in a dignified manner but I think this wish will remain a mere wish even after the orders of the supreme court,” Baji Perveen lamented.
She appreciated the efforts of the apex court in giving the eunuchs identity besides granting them with their due rights. Another she-male, Anjuman, while sharing her views said people used to hire them at wedding functions which was a source of regular income for them, but that trend had almost vanished in cities. She said begging was neither a profession of her community nor they like it, adding, it was all due to lack of any other job.
It is pertinent to mention that the trans-genders can now avail their Computerized National Identity Card, have the right over share in inheritance, can be employed at any place and enjoy equal rights as being experienced by other fellow citizens. All they need is a bit space and encouragement from the society to turn them into useful citizens and reduce the number of beggars as the country is already fighting hard with the menace of begging which is becoming a growing profession.