Advisor to Chief Minister Sindh on Information, Law and Anti-Corruption Barrister Murtaza Wahab has said despite the notices were taken on Thar situation by the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan, no step has yet been taken by the federal government for the relief of drought-affected people.
He said that the Sindh Government was taking relief measures on its own. This he said while addressing a crowded press conference at his office on Tuesday.
He said that on the instruction of the Sindh Chief Minister, he along with Provincial Minister for Energy Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh visited Tharparkar to ascertain and ensure smooth relief measures for drought-hit people. "They inspected RO plants, wheat distribution centers, godowns, health center, Mithi hospital and met people to be familiar with the ground realities," he said. He rejected the reports regarding the distribution of substandard wheat and added that they checked quality of wheat being distributed and weight of bags during their visit to Thar which was found satisfactory.
Responding to a query, the provincial advisor said that as per practice in case of inadequate rainfall till August 15, Thar is declared as calamity-hit area, adding that the Sindh government has taken decision in time for declaring Tharparkar as calamity-hit locality in first cabinet meeting held on August 19, 2018. The provincial advisor added that 366 points has been established for the distribution of wheat so that the people of far- flung areas could get relief easily. He said that initially with the help of NADRA a list of 208,245 families was prepared for wheat distribution. He said that 67,905 more heads of families were being included in the list on the demand of people of Thar as they were not included in initial list, and in this regard a summary has already been forwarded for approval from relevant authority. To another query, the provincial advisor said that RO plants became non-functional due to delay in release of funds, adding that RO plants started working from today noon as communicated by Commissioner Mirpurkhas.
Barrister Murtaza Wahab said that there was talk of dams in the country, adding that Sindh government has completed construction of 18 small dams in the Tharparkar District without any help from the federal government which include 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 etc.
Wahab said that the PPP government has carried forward the vision of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and served people of Sindh, adding that massive development and welfare schemes have been completed in health, education, infrastructure development, irrigation, agriculture, poverty reduction, women empowerment, and energy sector besides providing employment to thousands of unemployed youth during last ten years and reiterated commitment to continue to take revolutionary measures for welfare of people of Sindh.
He said that the people of Sindh were well informed politically and reposed their confidence every time in Pakistan Peoples Party by rejecting multi party alliances in democratic process. "People of Sindh have re-elected us owing to our performance," the provincial advisor claimed.