PM directs preparation of relief package for drought-hit Thar

• Two more die in Thar

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed serious concerns over the terrible situation regarding deaths of children in Tharparkar and has directed to prepare a relief package for fighting drought in the area.

A comprehensive report pertaining to the worsening state of drought-stricken Tharparkar, where malnutrition has claimed lives of a number of children, was presented to the PM Imran Khan on Sunday.

Through the report, the premier was apprised about the terrible circumstances prevalent there.

PM Khan expressed his serious concerns over the matter and directed relevant authorities to prepare a relief package for the famine-ridden population of Thar.

Earlier on Sunday, two more children succumbed to malnutrition in Mithi’s Civil Hospital, taking the toll of deaths up to 31 in this month, and 531 for the year so far.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on October 19 directed the health department to set up medical camps in every district to deal with health issues in Tharparkar.

Separately, Sindh Minister for Livestock Abdul Bari Pitafi has directed the officials concerned to ensure provision of medicine and fodder to seven million livestock. He issued the directives during his visit to Tharparkar along with Member Provincial Assembly (MPA) Qasim Soomro. Pitafi also directed officials of livestock to ensure vaccination of all livestock in the area to prevent any possible outbreak of viral infections in them.