Daily Times

“Even though President Alvi and Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan have taken notice of the situation in Thar, the federal government has taken no steps for the relief of drought-affected people in the region”

This was said by Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister (CM) for Information Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Tuesday during a press conference at his office. Barrister Wahab informed the media that the Centre had not initiated any relief efforts in Thar. “Sindh government is taking relief measures on its own,” he said.

Barrister Wahab said that on the directives of Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Murad Ali Shah he and Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh, the provincial minister for Energy, visited Tharparkar to oversee the ongoing relief efforts. “We visited Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants, wheat distribution centers, godowns, health facilities and Mithi hospital,” said the provincial advisor. “We also met people and talked to locals in order to familiarise ourselves with the ground realities,” he added.

Rejecting reports regarding distribution of substandard wheat in the region, Barrister Wahab said that he had personally checked the quality of wheat being distributed in the area. He added that he had weighed the bags of wheat being distributed among the local populace as well. Barrister Wahab maintained that the quality of wheat being distributed was satisfactory.

Speaking of the wheat distribution mechanism in place, the provincial advisor explained that a total of 366 points had been earmarked for the distribution of wheat in the area. He said that initially a list of 208,245 families was prepared with the help of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) for wheat distribution. He added that 67905 households had been included in the list of wheat recipients on demand of residents of Thar since they had not been included in the initial list. “A summary has already been forwarded for approval from relevant authority,” said Barrister Wahab.

Responding to a query regarding the calamity-struck status of Thar, the provincial advisor said that according to traditional practice Thar was to be declared a calamity-hit region if it did not receive adequate rainfall till August 15. He maintained that the provincial government declared Thar a drought-struck area in the first cabinet meeting held on August 19, 2018.

In response to another question, the provincial advisor said that RO plants had became non-functional due to delay in release of funds. He informed the media that the RO plants had became functional again. “As communicated by Mirpurkhas commissioner, the RO plants were made functional today (Tuesday) afternoon,” he said.

Barrister Murtaza Wahab said that there was talk of dams in the country. Wahab said that Sindh government had completed construction of 18 small dams in the Tharparkar District without any help from the federal government. ” We constructed Naryasar Dam, Ghartiari Dam, Gordhro Bhatiani Dam, Chanida Dam, Lakar Khadio Dam, Koowara Dam, Jhinijasar Dam, Adhigam Dam, Lakhy-Jo-Wandio Dam, Ranpur Bund, Mulji, Bhodesar Tank, Khararo Bund, Tobirio Tank, Miskeen Jahan Khan Khoso, Bartalao Dam, Kali Das and Vera Wah in the region,” Barrister Wahab told the journalists.

Baristar Murtaza Wahab said that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government had carried forward the vision of Shaheed Zulifqar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtrama Benazir Bhutto and served the people of Sindh. He added that massive development and welfare schemes had been completed in health, education, infrastructure development, irrigation, agriculture, poverty reduction, women empowerment and energy sectors. He further said that the PPP government provided employment to thousands of unemployed young people during the last decade.

CM advisor reiterated the government’s commitment to continue to taking revolutionary measures for welfare of people of Sindh. Barrister Murtaza Wahab added that the people of Sindh were politically well-informed politically and that was why they put their faith in PPP and rejected multi-party alliances in elections. “People of Sindh have re-elected us owing to our performance,” he concluded.

Published in Daily Times, October 10^th 2018.