Minister for Food Security and Research Khusro Bakhtiyar said Pakistan was under severe locust attack after 27 years which poses a substantial threat to food security in the country. He made these remarks during his visit along with Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lieutenant General Muhammad Afzal on Sunday to the areas under locusts attack in Pupli Pahar region in Depalpure, Okara district, said a press release.
Briefing the media person, he said the situation was under control in over 85 percent areas that were under locusts.
The minister stated that the federal government had declared a state of emergency in view of the ongoing locusts attack in parts of the country. Bakhtiyar said all institutions of the country including NDMA, Plants Protection Department, Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air force and PDMAs and International Agencies were working to cope up with this menace. He observed that if timely action was not initiated, locusts attack could become a threat to the food security in the country. He informed the media person that such attack came in the country after 27 years and more than 20 others countries were also facing this problem.