Forum calls for protection of Tharis' rights

KARACHI:

The Thar Citizens Forum has called for local communities' rights to be protected alongside the development of Thar coal resources. The forum's demands included emergency assistance for drought-hit areas by providing food, water, medical care, and fodder and vaccines for livestock. Adoption of a drought policy and establishment of an authority, independent testing of groundwater and the environment; and the restoration of reverse-osmosis (RO) plants also included in the demands.

The forum also called for investigations into the Danodhandal incident, compensation and rehabilitation for affected families, and the restoration of access routes. Further demands included transparency in royalty and CSR funds, protection of wildlife, measures to prevent deaths.