Daily Times

Sir: It seems that the spectre of child deaths in the remote and backward area of Thar has not gone away. Only yesterday, it was reported that 14 children had died of malnutrition and other causes in the last 20 days. Moreover, according to the civil surgeon of the Civil Hospital, Mithi, many children and adults are admitted in the hospital suffering from malnutrition and other related illnesses. The number of childhood deaths stated above is not small or insignificant but, here in Pakistan, it appears that human life is the last concern of the government. Our rulers have forgotten the Thar tragedy, which made headlines a few months back. Even the media’s interest has declined very rapidly, possibly due to the hot weather prevalent in the desert area. The local representatives of the people have also gone into slumber otherwise they could have raised a hue and cry.
The local administration is also slow in responding to the ongoing misery of poor Tharis. Our rulers are only making tall claims about how they will transform Thar into Dubai but the ground realities are strikingly different. In fact, the situation is becoming pathetic by the day. This, coupled with the prediction of scanty monsoon rains in the country in general, calls for expedited action by the government on a war footing if further tragedy is to be averted. I call upon all those responsible to please wake up and come forward to end the miseries of the poor Tharis.
DR MUHAMMED MUBARAK
Karachi