Legislation for universal salt iodisation is key to combat iodine deficiency. This was demanded by citizens who gathered in front of the press club here on Sunday afternoon. The event was held to mark the International Consumer Rights Day which is celebrated globally on March 15 every year.

The theme of this year's WCRD was 'healthy eating'. Pakistan was a signatory to the plan of action of World Summit on Children 1990 that agreed to overcome iodine deficiency from the world by 2010. However, due to lack of attention to the issue, nearly 50 million people in Pakistan are suffering from iodine deficiency while over 50 per cent of the total population is at risk of Iodine Deficiency Disorders.

The event called "The Picket" organised by The Network for Consumer Protection with support from UNICEF was held to demand legislation at the federal level for the control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDDs).

Omar Khalid said, "I believe event like these are extremely important to create awareness among the public especially those in rural areas, about the awareness of iodine in salt, deficiency of which can lead to a plethora of diseases, especially thyroid related and can also lead to decreased IQ in new born children. People at all levels and strata need to understand this and promote the importance of iodised salt in a society such as ours."