Sir: In 1991, the world’s sixth largest reserve of coal was discovered in Tharparkar, Sindh. After this discovery, the name of Pakistan was included in the list of 20 countries that are well known for having natural resources. Nearly 52 percent of the population of Tharparkar consists of Hindus; most of these families are very poor and the literacy rate is very poor in Sindh, particularly in Tharparkar. Despite having rich resources of black gold, the children of Thar are dying due to malnutrition. The Thar drought isn’t new for the government and residents of Tharparkar. It has become a usual phenomenon for the people of Thar. The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government in Sindh has always shown apathy to this area while the federal government is also showing negligence. At the time of former Chief Minister Sindh Arbab Ghulam Rahim, lengthy roads were constructed in Mithi, Umarkot and Tharparkar to facilitate the movement of VIPs. The PPP government didn’t make any proper strategy to address the issues of water scarcity and food supply. The residents have started migrating from Tharparkar to Mirpurkhas, Umarkot, etc, but poor families who even can’t afford travel expenses are becoming the victims of the drought. Water scarcity and shortage of food are the big reasons that lead to drought, which affects the people of Tharparkar. Several children died in recent months due to different diseases and malnutrition. The people of Thar are experiencing the worst famine. In the previous year, more than 311 children died in Tharparkar in 11 months and the death toll is still rising. Government and other international aid agencies should make a proper strategy to eradicate famine-like situations in Thar. JIBRAN KHASKHELI Tando Mohammad Khan