PM Nawaz takes notice of drought-stricken Tharparkar

Premier also directs army to provide relief and NDMA, BISP to submit reports

ISLAMABAD: Taking notice of reports of famine in Sindh, Prime Minister Nawaz has directed the Pakistan Army to provide immediate relief to the people of Tharparkar with the provision of food and medicine.

The premier also ordered the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to submit a report in this regard.

He also directed the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) to submit a report regarding financial assistance provided to the residents of Tharparkar in the last six months.

Dozens of children have reportedly died of malnutrition in this drought-stricken desert district of Sindh this year alone.

In September, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Peoples Party, called for comprehensive planning to mitigate the suffering of the people of Tharparker on sustainable basis, especially during drought.

Psychiatrists believe the persisting famine is creating psychological disorders among the Tharis, leading to suicidal tendencies.

In the past 10 months, 40 people have committed suicide in Tharparkar, including two cases of mothers killing themselves along with their children, according to a report prepared by a local NGO, AWARE.