THARPARKAR/KARACHI
The Pakistan Army troops have been sent to help Tharparkar drought affectees while distribution of wheat bags was also underway in the famine-hit areas.
Following notice taken by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief Justice of Pakistan Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, the Sindh government admitted to its negligence.
Nawaz took serious notice of the deaths of children in Thar, Sindh. He directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to get in touch with authorities in Sindh and provide all possible aid.
Meanwhile, the Sindh government has announced a package of Rs 1 hundred million rupees for the drought hit areas of Tharparkar District. The announcement was made by the chief minister after a meeting in Karachi on Friday.
Famine in Tharparkar has worsened to a dangerous level, raising the death toll of starving children to 124.
Reportedly, a shortage of food and drought has left people of Tharparkar fighting for their lives.
The famine is ongoing for the past 3 years in Chachru Tharparkar; and according to Mathi hospital sources, the death toll of starving children has reached to 124.
Meanwhile, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon said that the news about the Sindh government’s refusal to accept the Punjab government’s aid for Tharparkar is baseless.
Earlier, media had reported that Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had offered aid for the drought-hit district but the Sindh government refused to accept the aid.
Bahria Town Chairman Malik Riaz Hussain also decided to use all resources at his disposal in aid of the drought-affected people of Tharparkar.
Memon said that the Punjab government had not offered any aid so news about its rejection is baseless.
He thanked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and federal government for their better steps for help.
People in Tharparkar, the desert area of Sindh, are facing famine-like situation in most of the areas where at least 32 malnourished children are reported to have died owing to food shortage.