Pakistan

PM Nawaz takes notice of drought-stricken Tharparkar

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

Abdul Manan/web Desk October 30, 2014

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.

COMMENTS (4)

Shaista | 9 years ago | Reply

If a government takes notice of a misery after repeated media coverage, then obviously there is no governance. It is the primary duty of govt to look after welfare of its citizens, you have a PM, loads of ministers, MNAs, MPAs, advisors and what not? What are they being paid for from our tax money? As far as my understanding goes, a government rules a country and serves its citizens, and in our case its the other way round – the govt is ruling the citizens and serving the ruling elite.

Danish | 9 years ago | Reply

This is the height of sheer incompetency or even worst known impassiveness. These blood thirsty PPP is even taking in the relief money meant for dying children. I cannot express in words the anger I have for the PPP ruling class in Sindh. Now they are literally eating the funds meant for dying babies. They have zero empathy for those they rule over. I thought I had seen the worst of PPP but they keep on proving me wrong.