This is a difficult mission but possible and achievable for the Shahid Afridi Foundation as per their slogan
FAISALABAD: The latest achievement of the Shahid Afridi Foundation to rescue 30 Pakistani prisoners detained in Dubai is a milestone in the fields of charity, generosity and humanity. The love of humanity in the sense of caring, nourishing, developing, and enhancing what it means to be human is a very noble cause. I acknowledge the efforts by the Shahid Afridi Foundation and now draw their attention towards the most neglected and vulnerable region of Tharparkar.
Residents face various issues due to waterborne diseases, inadequate health facilities, famine and lack of basic infrastructure. There is a huge need of water for the poor people of this arid zone. The only source of water for animals and humans in the desert area is small intermittent ponds and wells. The lack of a constant water supply forces much of the local population to live as nomads. Many NGOs are operational in the area but seem only interested in photo opportunity sessions, all the while accepting grants from abroad. The Sindh government never seriously paid attention to resolve their issues. The present PPP government has taken inadequate initiatives by providing water filtration plants. On the contrary, the Indian government has constructed the 650-kilometre Rajasthan Canal system to make the desert arable and transform the barren desert into lush fields. There is need to construct small dams, reservoirs and a canal system in Tharparkar. This is a difficult mission but possible and achievable for the Shahid Afridi Foundation as per their slogan, “hope-not out.”
Engr Mansoor Ahmed
Published in The Express Tribune, January 30th, 2017.
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