Pakistani-origin British boxer Amir Khan has inaugurated a potable water supplying facility and announced construction of a healthcare facility for the residents of drought-hit area.
Khan visited Tharparkar along with his wife, Faryal Makhdoom, where they were welcomed by the locals. According to Additional Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Hussain Baloch, the Bolton star had promised the government of support in its efforts to better lives of those living in Tharparkar.
While talking to the media, Khan appreciated the provincial government’s efforts to provide as many facilities to Tharis as possible in the budget given by the federal government. He urged international organisations to take notice of almost 433 lives that were lost this year to drought, malnutrition and outbreak of disease.
The district health officer has said that around 63,500 children were brought to around six health facilities and only 6,353 were treated there. Explaining the water facilities provided by the Amir Khan Foundation, Khan said the Tharis had to walk at least three kilometres for water and they are vulnerable to snake bites, which if they encounter, would not make it to the hospital in time. The foundation has built water tanks for them that have the capacity to provide clean drinking water to at least 800 people.