Death toll rises to 51 in famine-struck Thar
Qaim Ali Shah would be visiting Chachru by 2 pm today to review dearth situation.
THARPARKAR (Dunya New) – At least 4 children died on Tuesday as famine continues to erode humanity raising the death toll beyond 50 in 43 days despite government’s claim in Thar.
The deceased include a 5-day old daughter of Abdul Razzaq of Khanor Otha village in Thar died at civil hospital Mithi, two newborns Imtiaz Nuhani and Allah Jurio in Warnai village and a 7-month old Revo Kohli of Krishen Khohli village in Diplu.
Two children have been referred to Hyderabad hospital in wake of their critical condition.
On the other hand, Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah will reach Chachru vy 2 pm today where he is expected to stay the night and return tomorrow to preside over Sindh cabinet’s session.
He would discuss the situation of Tharparkar in the meeting.
Administrative lapse
Earlier, Sindh government has been unable to make adequate arrangements as all the relief initiatives are restricted to Mithi and far flung areas remain devoid of ample assistance.
Administration remains deaf eared to the whole predicament as people continue to die of starvation. Chachru administration has not taken the notice of the adversity in the past 30 days whereas the inhabitants of district Chachru and Dhali have been doomed to deprivation for the past 3 years.
Relief activities could be seen in places where media reports the deaths in Mithi Civil Hospital but with no land route to 675 villages neither the media nor the relief teams can reach out to the affectees.
MQM hold Sindh government responsible
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Rabita Committee Deputy Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui has held Sindh government responsible for Thar situation. MQM Rabita Committee has appealed for help from United Nations and international NGOs for the residents of Thar. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said that the silence of Sindh government on Thar situation is nothing but insensitivity. He said that MQM will continue its relief activities.
Holding the press conference on Monday in Karachi, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said that keeping quiet on Sindh government’s insensitivity would be a national crime. He demanded special package for Thar from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said that corruption and incompetence have pushed the residents of the desert to death. He said that MQM was not doing politics on Thar situation. “We have sent relief items worth more than Rs. 10 million for the people living in famine affected areas”, he said.
Mud stocked in wheat bags
It had been revealed that 292 wheat bags stocked in Mithi’s official godown reserved to be sent forth for Thar affectees by Sindh government were instead filled up with mud.
Relief judge inspected the adulterated wheat and ordered strict action against the ones responsible.
