ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani Friday took notice of the deaths of more than 40 children in a stretch of Thar desert in Sindh due to acute malnutrition and diseases and fixed the hearing of the case on March 10 (Monday).

According to a press release issued by the Supreme Court, the notice was taken on media reports from Mithi, one of the least developed and most remote districts in southern Sindh province, suggesting that more than 100 people had died because of famine and malnutrition.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah have already taken notice of the media reports.

“It is a very serious matter and we have deputed a senior member of the party and officials to probe into the deaths,” Shah told reporters earlier today.

The chief justice directed the Sindh government, chief secretary and other concerned officials to submit a report on the matter as he called it a serious violation of Article 9 of the Constitution.

Chief Justice Jillani also directed that an officer of the government of Sindh, not below the rank of additional secretary, should appear along with the report in the court number 1 on behalf of chief secretary.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Army troops from Hyderabad Garrison started carrying immediate relief goods and rations for the drought affected areas of Tharparker.

According to an ISPR spokesman, staff of medical camp is also going with them to the affected areas with lady doctors, paramedical staff and medicines.