MITHI: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has announced a relief package of one billion rupees for the assistance of famine-hit people of Tharparkar.
He made the announcement while attending a briefing on Tharparkar situation in Mithi Monday.
The briefing was also attended by patron-in-chief of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, former provincial chief minister belonging to the district Arbab Ghulam Rahim, provincial Information Minister Sharjeel Memon and other senior members of the PPP.
The Prime Minister said steps should be taken to ensure that such a situation does not recur.
Voicing concerns over deaths of people in famine hit area‚ he said the people who are 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 famine affected people.
Prime Minister Nawaz stressed that the Sindh government should fix responsibility and punish those found guilty of negligence.
He further asked Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah to chalk out a policy to avoid such damage in the future. “We need to kind the root cause of the problem and prevent it,” the prime minister said. Comparing the living conditions of Cholistan with Tharparkar, the prime minister questioned why there was a huge difference in the quality of life in the two deserts despite having identical environment.
Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Syed said the provincial government has undertaken all possible measures for the provision of food‚ ration and medicines 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 formedfor 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 will be provided with extra benefits including more salaries‚ residences and transportation facilities.
Memon also admitted that 80 per cent areas of Tharparkar district were famine-affected. Another PPP leader said that the Sindh govt had accepted the Rs 100 million in aid provided by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.
Earlier during the briefing the prime minister was informed about the steps taken for the relief of famine hit people and protection of livestock.
The prime minister was informed that sufficient stock of food and ration is available and the affected families can procure them on presentation of national identity card.
He was told that compensation of two hundred thousand rupees each has been announced for the families of those died in the calamity. Vaccination is also being given to the livestock in the drought hit area. Prior to arriving in Mithi, the prime minister had reached Mirpurkhas where he was welcomed by the chief minister Sindh.
The prime minister upon his arrival had taken notice of the problems faced by people of Thar’s Mithi area due to security measures taken before his visit. The premier in his statement issued to media said that hospitals must remain open for patients and they should have access to all areas.
Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif also visited civil hospital Mithi and inquired about the health of ailing children.
He directed the doctors and para-medical staff on duty to provide best medical facilities to the children and take all the necessary measures to save the lives of drought hit children.
Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari accompanied the Prime Minister.
After the visit to the hospital, the prime minister left for the Army Camp and he would also meet up with locals of the area. (Online)