SINCE the last few days, the media has been reporting on the death of children in Thar due to malnutrition brought about by drought. At last Prime Minster Nawaz Sharif visited the drought-hit district. He also visited the civil hospital in Mithi. After a briefing from the administration he announced Rs1bn as relief. The prime minister also expressed his displeasure over the negligence of the administration…. The meeting depicted an interesting scene. The Sindh chief minister was there as per protocol, while former chief minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim and president of the PML-F Sadruddin Shah Rashdi were also seen…. PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was also present to welcome the prime minister.

It is good sign that leaders of different political parties … were present under one roof. It is painful that this was possible only when the prime minister was visiting Mithi. The death of [even] one child due to negligence is a big tragedy. In this case, there were over 100 deaths. The bureaucracy has tried to hide the facts.

Whether it was the health department’s negligence or the non-distribution of wheat, the situation showed [carelessness]. Let’s pray that such attitudes improve. The state of the health department exposed by the situation in Thar is painful; the situation in other parts of the province is not different. There too hundreds of children are dying. The media is more sensitive about Thar, which is being termed as hype by certain quarters. The government and its machinery are responsible for this tragedy. Poverty is the mother of all ills. … The philanthropists should … come forward and help the drought-hit people. ... (March 11)

Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi.