Govt announces Rs14b to counter locust threat

Imam says locusts are entering from Afghanistan into DI Khan, Waziristan

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam has announced that the federal government would spend Rs14 billion, along with the contribution of Rs12 billion by the provincial governments, to counter the locust threat in the country.

“The locusts have found a new corridor for entering into Pakistan. They are entering from Afghanistan into DI Khan and Waziristan,” the federal minister said while chairing the 5th meeting of the National Locust Control Centre (NLCC) on Saturday.

He was of the view that the locusts' attack had been minimised by combined efforts in majority areas, adding that joint teams on the ground continued the spray and destroyed locusts.

“The federal and provincial governments, district administration and farmers are coordinating to tackle the locust attacks,” Imam said, adding that the NLCC along with the National Disaster Management Authority and district administrations were making efforts to control the locusts.

On efforts to control the infestation, Imam said about 8,000 army troops were deployed for the anti-locust operation. “China extended financial help of $4.9 million to Pakistan, besides providing 53,000 litres of chemical for spray, sprayers and drones,” he added.

He was of the view that 20 aircrafts would be used for the anti-locust operation, adding that the ADB and the World Bank would finance the anti-locust operation.

He also admired the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their coordination and appreciated the Inter-Services Public Relations for launching awareness campaigns regarding locusts.

A presentation was also given by the Ministry of National Food Security and Research regarding the National Action Plan for eradication of locusts.

Punjab will treat five million hectares, Sindh will treat 1.5 million hectares and Balochistan 500,000 hectares.

Similarly, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa will treat 500,000 hectares and as per NAP, there will be a surveillance/control team that will be headed by etymologists.

The team will also include locust assistant, representative of local community and manpower from Pakistan Army.

With input from APP