MITHI
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday announced a Rs 1 billion relief package for the famine-hit people of Tharparkar.
He made the announcement in Mithi, the headquarters of Tharparkar, at a briefing. The briefing was also attended by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, former provincial chief minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim, provincial Information minister Sharjeel Memon and other senior members of the PPP.
The PM said steps should be taken to ensure that such a situation does not recur in the future.
Voicing concerns over deaths in the famine-hit area‚ he said the people who were not ready to migrate to other places should be given health facilities at their doorsteps through mobile units.
He said that strict action should be taken against those who despite availability of sufficient stock of wheat did not distribute the commodity amongst the people.
Nawaz stressed that the Sindh government should fix responsibility and punish those found guilty of negligence.
He also asked Sindh CM Qaim Ali Shah to chalk out a policy to avoid such damage in the future.
“We need to find the root cause of the problem and prevent it,” the prime minister said.
Comparing the living conditions of Cholistan with Tharparkar, he questioned why there was a huge difference in the quality of life in the two deserts despite having identical environment.
Shah said the provincial government has undertaken all measures for the provision of food and medicine to the affected population. He said a strategy has been evolved to avert such kind of situation in future. He said teams comprising five to six persons have been formed for the fair distribution of wheat among the affected people. He said currently the administration is facing challenges for the availability of female doctors. He said female doctors would be provided with extra benefits, including more salaries‚ residences and transportation facilities.
Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon admitted that 80 percent of Tharparkar district was famine-affected.
Another PPP leader said that the Sindh government had accepted Rs 100 million in aid provided by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.
Earlier, Nawaz was informed about the steps taken for the relief of the famine-hit people and protection of livestock.
The prime minister was informed that sufficient stock of food and ration was available and the affected families can procure them on presentation of national identity card.
He was told that compensation of Rs 200,000 has been announced for each grieving family. Vaccination is also being given to the livestock in the drought-hit area.
Prior to arrival in Mithi, Nawaz reached Mirpurkhas where he was welcomed by the Sindh CM.
In a statement, the PM said that hospitals must remain open for patients and they should have access to all areas.
Nawaz also visited Civil Hospital Mithi and inquired about the health of ailing children.
He directed the doctors and paramedics on duty to provide best medical facilities to the children and take all the necessary measures to save the lives of drought hit children. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari accompanied him.
