PTI MPAs demand administrative powers to work in Thar

The PTI lawmaker claimed that the wheat bags dropped over the drought-affected areas are filled with mud


Our Correspondent November 17, 2014

KARACHI:


Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers have demanded administrative powers to show the government how to work in the drought-hit area of Tharparkar.


Addressing a news conference at Karachi Press Club on Monday, PTI MPA Khurram Sher Zaman criticised the Sindh government for failing to check the increasing number of deaths in the area. "It is the government's responsibility to provide relief to the people of Thar people," said Zaman. "If they [government] cannot, they should hand over powers to us. We will show them, how to tackle the situation."

The death toll in the past few weeks has crossed the figure of 75, he said. "Once, peacocks danced across Thar and today it is only death prevailing in the drought-hit area."

Zaman lashed out at Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader and minister Sharjeel Memon for his statement over the deaths of infants in Thar and claimed that it showed the apathy of the PPP government.

The PTI lawmaker claimed that the wheat bags dropped over the drought-affected areas are filled with mud. Potable water in the areas has dried up despite government's claims of setting up filtration plants, he added. "Around 60 newly-built RO [reverse-osmosis] plants are not functioning and the government is planning to set up more to encourage corruption," Zaman claimed, questioning what the chief minister Qaim Ali Shah has learned throughout his three tenures as provincial chief.

PTI's Hafeezuddin also spoke about the party's planned rally in Larkana on November 21. The Sindh government is putting hurdles in the organisation of the event, he claimed. "We have been given a letter containing 22 conditions for organising a party gathering in Larkana," he said. "Party posters and pamphlets cannot be distributed unless the municipal administration grants permission." It has been 18 days since the party sought permission but the government has yet to respond, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 18th, 2014.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ