Pakistan PM announces financial aid for drought-hit area

Islamabad, March 10: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Monday announced a Pakistani Rs.1 billion (around $9.82 million) aid package for the drought-affected people of Tharparkar district in the country's Sindh province.

Sharif made the announcement during a briefing by the district administration to the prime minister on the situation in Tharparkar, Dawn online reported.

Sharif said steps should be taken to prevent a similar situation from occurring in the future and wondered if the situation in Tharparkar and Cholistan desert was similar then how come there was no famine in Cholistan.

Facilities should be provided at the people's doorsteps using mobile health units, he added.

The briefing was also attended by patron-in-chief of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chief Minister of 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.

Sharif also said that Chief Minister Ali Shah should take serious notice of the incident and while taking action punish those responsible for negligence.

"CM Sindh should take serious notice of the incident and while taking action punish those responsible for negligence," the report quoted Sharif as saying.

IANS