PM announces Rs1 billion aid for drought-affected Thar

E-Paper | July 26, 2026

MIRPURKHAS: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday announced Rs one billion in aid for the affectees of the famine-hit Tharparkar region, DawnNews reported.

Nawaz Sharif was given a briefing in Mithi over the drought and famine condition in Thar.

The briefing was also attended by Information Minister Pervez Rashid, patron-in-chief of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, former provincial chief minister belonging to the district Arbab Ghulam Rahim, provincial Information Minister Sharjeel Memon and other senior members of the PPP.

During the briefing Sharif announced an aid of Rs one billion for the province adding that the federal and Punjab government were ready to provide further assistance.

He said steps should be taken to avoid a similar situation from occurring in the future adding that if the situation in Thar and Cholistan was the same then how come there was no famine in Cholistan.

Facilities should be provided at the people’s doorsteps using mobile health units, the premier added.

Moreover, Sharif also said that CM Sindh should take serious notice of the incident and while taking action punish those responsible for negligence.

Qaim Ali Shah, while briefing the prime minister, said that the district had been declared as calamity-hit and the commissioner and deputy commissioner, who were responsible for the situation, were had already been removed from their positions.

He further said that a committee had been formed to ensure the transparent and equal distribution of relief among the affectees.

The provincial information minister said during the briefing that the deaths in the region had not occurred due to famine only rather there were other water-related issues and illnesses which claimed the lives of several persons.

Memon also admitted that 80 per cent areas of Tharparkar district were famine-affected.

Another PPP leader said that the Sindh govt had accepted the Rs 100 million in aid provided by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government

Prior to arriving in Mithi, the prime minister had reached Mirpurkhas where he was welcomed by the chief minister Sindh.

The prime minister upon his arrival had taken notice of the problems faced by people of Thar’s Mithi area due to security measures taken before his visit.

The premier in his statement issued to media said that hospitals must remain open for patients and they should have access to all areas.

Meanwhile, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also visited a hospital in Mithi today and inquired after the people affected by the calamity.

The premier was later on accompanied by Bilawal Bhutto and the duo visited the Civil Hospital Mithi.

After the visit to the hospital, the prime minister left for the Army Camp and he would also meet up with locals of the area.

Moreover, the premier along with Bilawal Bhutto and Qaim Ali shah were present in the briefing given by officials on the situation caused by drought and the progress of relief work.

The Deputy Commissioner Tharparker in a briefing said the Sindh government had distributed 1,25,000 wheat bags among the residents of six talukas of Thar.

He mentioned that 2030 bags had so far been distributed in Mithi while 1,030 had been given away in Islamkot.

He further said the wheat can be obtained from the help centres by showing identity card adding that Rs 0.2 million would be distributed among the families of the deceased.

The prime minister was apprised that out of the 4.5 million of livestock, sheep was the most affected animal.

The Deputy Commissioner added the 15 mobile teams were reaching out to the families of Tharparker to vaccinate the livestock particularly sheep.

Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah thanked the Prime Minister for taking emergency relief measures for the affected people.

A day earlier, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Pervaiz Rashid had said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had cancelled important engagements and would visit Tharparkar today to meet drought-affected people.

Poor health and communication infrastructure keeps the district disconnected from mainstream population.

In 2000, the desert suffered a famine that killed 90 percent of the livestock, the economic mainstay of the area.

Death toll reaches 62, SC told

Meanwhile, during today's hearing relating to the notice taken by Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani over the deaths in Thar, the apex court was informed that 62 children had died in the drought and famine affected region so far.

Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani had summoned top officials to the Supreme Court in Islamabad on Monday and said the country should “should hang down our heads with shame” over the conditions that led up to the deaths and the failure of government to prevent them.

Mumtaz Ali Shah, the home secretary for Sindh province where the desert lies earlier told the court: “At least 62 children died, mostly because of unusual cold weather leading to outbreak of pneumonia and poor medical facilities during last three months in Thar.”

Meanwhile, the province's advocate general Fateh Malik said the situation was not as bad as had been portrayed by the media, claiming disasters were the norm in the impoverished area.

Moreover, the Supreme Court affixed responsibility of the incident on the Sindh government while instructing it to submit a plan of action for the improvement of the situation.

The hearing was adjourned until Mar 17.

Pakistan

Famine-like situation in Thar after severe drought

PM to visit Thar on Monday: Rashid

Thar situation fully under control: PPP

asgher

Mar 10, 2014 12:08pm

qaim ali shah resign kero

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Taimur

Mar 10, 2014 12:37pm

Why not judicial inquiry against what happened in Thar? Same families have been ruling country for decades and they have stake in all major political parties. So, we are not hopeful that any action will be taken. The issue will be forgotten in a couple of days. PLMN also follow the old golden rule of Tum Udhar Hum Idhar of ZA Bhutto as far as Taliban or Sindh government is concerned. Sharif family's principal is "Let them do what they do and let us collect wealth with the support of great Mansha Sb. Na chair malanga noon"

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ali ahmed

Mar 10, 2014 01:00pm

Provide clean drinking water to the Thar's natives. All you need is a network of pipeline in that area. This will be a great service to them. Pak Army can do and manage it easily.

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Khanm

Mar 10, 2014 01:12pm

Courage, dear prime minister courage; Have the Audacity to punish the culprits responsible for this mayhem. It is never too late to be what you might have been. So act now before it is too late

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Ayan

Mar 10, 2014 02:09pm

Reactive approach only for letting Sind govt down. Too little and too late as well.

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Dr. Zia

Mar 10, 2014 02:20pm

Not even a single penny will be spent on these people. All of the money will go into the huge pockets of our useless politicians.

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Nisar Ahmad

Mar 10, 2014 02:40pm

@Taimur: Very bad comments under prevailing thar conditions. Are we getting mentally sick and policy of Dawn be not to post such comments. May be late but efforts of all agencies including army ,provincial and federal Govts ; and patriotic citizens focuss on to to alleviate miseries of our brotheren in thar. Nisar

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sara

Mar 10, 2014 03:09pm

well done Nawaz shariff.I Salute u .....And shame on those people who r responsible of this disaster.

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Aijaz Shaikh

Mar 10, 2014 03:17pm

Like Sindh Festival, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari should now take the same interest in conducting a full inquiry into the death of innocent lives, mostly the children, in Thar district.

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shafiq

Mar 10, 2014 03:58pm

@Taimur: Not helpful comment at all. Judicial enquiries and the rest can wait . The first thing first, relief and support to all affected. What are the responsible people who were probably accompanying the prime minister doing during the period when the first indications of the impending problem. Is it only the job of the commissioner and the deputy commissioner to sort it out ? If so , what happened to all those who run around touting for votes during election period? If a single citizen dies of mal nurishment or of lack of medical services the chief minister of the province must be held responsible. What was the members of Assembly and the members of the provincial assembly, that are elected from that area doing ? Sounds as if they were sleeping on the job. They need to be woken up and asked to assess their positions. Some body need to tell the chief minister that it is 21st. Century. For God's sake look at the luxurious environment you live in while your fellow citizens are as desperate as that.shame on you if you call yourself a decent human being.

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Sungi

Mar 10, 2014 04:19pm

Sharjeel memon says "many lives lost due to Water born disease not all from famine". What a pity. Who is responsible for safe drinking water? Provincial govt or someone else? You are ruling Sindh for last 6 years. In last election you won all Thar seats except one 1st time in history and you have given this reward to Thari people. The biggest problem is that ruling elite of Pakistan( Top politicians, Bureaucrats and top brass all) especially Sindh is apathetic to people's miseries because they don't belong to them. They are superior people born with golden spoon.

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enigma

Mar 10, 2014 04:21pm

@sara: he is the prime minister of the country and he has only become aware of the situation after the death of many ppl and now he is offering aid...will aid bring back the deceased??? i seriously don't understand from which perspective u salute him...we are a lost and misguided nation with fools as leaders and bigger fools as their followers.

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Tahir Amjad

Mar 10, 2014 04:23pm

Mr.PM. This is great but please be serious & make sure by all means that this aid reaches to the peoples in need.its a huge amount and if spent honestly can turn around the whole of Thar area in to a comfortably liveable place.

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SYEDA SARA BATOOL

Mar 10, 2014 04:30pm

syed qaim shah had great meals in thar yesterday while on the other hand people of thar were dying due to lack of food and water...is this humanity???? is this good governance mr bilawal??? i appreciate PM,s step for famine-hit places.

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Musa

Mar 10, 2014 04:50pm

If we think that this 1 Billion will go the people or will be spent on relife efforts, then my friend we are fools. MPA responsible for Thar, his family members locked the gowdons of rashan. who are we fooling. Just shows exactly what our political system is made up off and what kind of individuals are running affairs within the state. May Allah give strength to the people of THAR and bless them all! our thoughts are with.

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Karachi Wala

Mar 10, 2014 04:59pm

And how much of that 1 billion will reach to the ones who really deserve?

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Imran

Mar 10, 2014 05:01pm

Shame on PPP, shame on Bilawal

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Fahad

Mar 10, 2014 05:04pm

@shafiq: The irony is that these people have handled power for more than a decade. They have no excuses for letting the people down. I expect better from a government that I elect based on the promises they make. When these atrocities occur it undermines the nations confidence in these people. We expect better....we deserve better.

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Muhammed Rehan

Mar 10, 2014 05:24pm

Shame on Govt of sindh, shame on Govt of Pakistan . Provide clean drinking water to the Thar's natives. All you need is a network of pipeline in that area. This will be a great service to them. Pak Army can do and manage it easily.

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danial tariq

Mar 10, 2014 05:34pm

62 children are dead and they died in a span of 3 months..bilawal has money to spent on Sindh festival and what about these children?

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Shahpur

Mar 10, 2014 07:51pm

I hope DAWN continue the coverage, and let people learn more.

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Muhammad

Mar 10, 2014 08:24pm

This is a biggest failure of government of Sindh. Taking responsibility of incident is not sufficient, the concern persons should tender the resignation and penalized accordingly.

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faisal

Mar 10, 2014 09:44pm

If you see on merit, there is no doubt about the incompetency of sindh government, there are lot of questions, What is level of education, health, law situation in sindh specifically interior sindh. They all are champion of corruption. Unfortunately our politicians are like cutting the branch of a tree on which they are sitting

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syed wasim haider

Mar 10, 2014 10:07pm

Where is the Benazir income support program; now all the politicians including PM have become Hatim Tai. The PM should ask the CM for the negligence and corruptions which he already admitted. The tax payers will have to bear their so called "good governess" and they should because they voted for them.

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ashar

Mar 10, 2014 11:18pm

We are always reactive. When 62 children died then we wake up. Unfortunately corruption has destroyed the foundations of society. Poor uneducated masses have accepted all problems as their fate and criminals are ruling them for the last 66 years.

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Khalid

Mar 10, 2014 11:57pm

@danial tariq: What a good point you raise. They had millions to throw away in the festival and exactly at that time people of Sindh were dying of hunger. They are all criminals and should only be treated as criminals.

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Babar Khan

Mar 11, 2014 12:45am

Old Slogan by Blawal Bhutto: Mersoon Mersoon Sindh na desoon( meaning we will die but will not give sindh to anyone else except for PPP) New Slogan by Blawal bhutto: Marsoon marsoon sindh na desoon (Meaning we will let Sindhis die bwe will not allow to rule anyone else)

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Ravel

Mar 11, 2014 01:39am

@Imran: Shame on you as well. All you did was utter some personal attack words, anyway you cannot blame entirely PPP to be responsible for this, how can you solve the deep decades old problems in a 5 year term when there are so many challenges, the most important terrorism. You can't expect miracles from governments. When population increases not proportionally with development then this sort of situation is inevitable.

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Ravel

Mar 11, 2014 01:43am

@ashar: Criminals are ruling from past 66 years? It was fine until you said that. Generalizing and making everyone stand in one cue. These ruling elites are among us, we voted them in last two terms, brought them in power. The lower-middle classes don't join politics, form parties just like Aam Aadmi Party and simply escape from the situation by saying all corrupt. Identifying a problem is one thing, suggesting solution is what we need. I do agree on the reactive approach. When it becomes global then they became ashamed so the aids and loans keep flooding in, and they are not depicted in bad way in international scene..

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Rvel

Mar 11, 2014 01:53am

@danial tariq: There is unequal development, but does that mean deprive the masses or the lower-middle class with all forms of entertainment? Pakistan has been suffocating badly in last decade and continues to do so, in these circumstances, PPP tried something new for a change to engage artistic people, provide us entertainment, promote peace, harmony, innovation and let the people enjoy their lives. Those Sindhis who were confined and limited in their homes, always witnessing miserable news, target killing bombing etc were given a chance to have a break, relax and come back to life with freedom. I guess we must see things retrospectively. Yes, I agree that the priority has to be food, health and education but you need these sort of activities to involve and engage major cities people.

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Daanish

Mar 11, 2014 03:19am

THE CM SHAH MUST RESIGN. WHAT A SHAMEFUL PPP SINDH GOVERNMENT. LET START A SIGNATURE CAMPAIGN.

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Dr Bajarani

Mar 11, 2014 07:50am

In civilized societies, in such situation, the top dog would resign! These waderas have no shame!

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QASIM ABBASI

Mar 11, 2014 09:51am

All these (Federal and Provincial Governments) are shameless people.

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Taimur

Mar 11, 2014 01:04pm

@Nisar Ahmad: "May be late..." Seems you are still not sure that it is too late. It has been years that the same rulers have been ruling Thar and still they managed to bring no improvement. Government should announce emergency for children health and whether it is Taliban not alloing to take vaccination or incompetent politicians responsible for the killing of children, firm action should be taken against them

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Taimur

Mar 11, 2014 01:17pm

@shafiq: I agree it was the main responsibility of CM. But we know PM also does not refrain from interfering directly when the interests of his supporters are involved.And I also understand we are not willing to listen truth against our political heros irrespective of whatever they do to us and our children. Frm action should be taken against all those who are responsible. Each time such incident happens they try to divert attention from mishandling of such issue with statements that now it is emergency and inquiry will be carried out afterwards and then we as a nation has short memory and we forget it. Even now all those from Bureaucracy backed by political leaders ( I am ahamed to call them political leaders ) have been transferred yesterday to avoid any inquiry. And above all long term planning is required so as to present such issue in future.

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Nisar Ahmad

Mar 11, 2014 07:56pm

@Taimur: Sorry ,we are drawing room reformers and of of mindset to criticize but not to contribute .Pl think positive and act positive rather then ----.

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