The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday disposed of a petition seeking the court’s directives to authorities concerned for taking immediate measures to deal with situation in drought-hit Tharparkar after it was told by the government that a commission had already been formed to probe the unabated deaths of children in the desert. Sadly, three more children died in Tharparkar the day the court disposed of the petition.
The three children died in the District Headquarters Civil Hospital in Mithi. Poverty, nutrition, preterm births, lack of awareness and drought are main reasons of the death of children in desert areas of Tharparkar. The District Headquarters Civil Hospital in Mithi serves about one million inhabitants of Thar, coming from villages and towns, large and small. There is a facility of 13 ventilators in Mithi Civil Hospital.
Hundreds of people have migrated to Badin and other areas due to the inadequate measures of the Sindh government. Famine-struck people have demanded the government to announce a package for their ease.
Meanwhile, the SHC bench headed by Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah heard the petition filed by Pakistan Institute of Labour Education & Research (PILER). The court was informed by Chief Secretary Siddique Memon that a commission had been formed to look into the situation in Tharparkar.
According to the chief secretary, the commission has been formed after consulting with the petitioner. The commission comprises of former Sindh advocate general Abdul Fatah Malik, former chairman Pakistan Medical Association, Dr Tipu Sultan, former CEO Sindh Rural Support Organisation Sono Khangharani and director general provincial disaster management.
“The commission will inquire into the causes, response of the administration in current crisis and will fix the responsibility for lapse, if any. The commission will also suggest its recommendations for remedial measures. It will submit the report within 30 days,” chief secretary’s report added.
The petitioner’s suggestions, for the persons of repute for members of the commission, were also taken by the government as Dr Tipu Sultan and Sono Khangharani were considered on the petitioner’s recommendation. While disposing of the petition, the court directed the provincial government to facilitate the commission.
Earlier, the PILER had submitted in the petition that over 200 people including children and women died in Tharparkar due to malnutrition, diseases and criminal negligence of the authorities.