KARACHI: The Sindh government will set up the Tharparkar Development Authority to develop proper infrastructure and civic facilities in the district and improve living standards of residents so that drought-like situation may not affect their routine life.

This was decided at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah to review relief activities being carried out for drought-hit people in Tharparkar district.

The chief minister directed the additional chief secretary (development) to ensure that its feasibility report is completed within two weeks. Provision of water supply, roads and other communication facilities, health, education, promotion of livestock, poverty reduction and schemes for community empowerment must be part of the planning, he said.

Discussing transport problems in relief activities, the chief minister constituted a committee headed by Taj Haider with one representative each from the provincial food and finance departments to get recommendations to solve problems faced by transporters.

He also directed the authorities of food department to ensure the availability of required wheat stock at Tharparkar and other affected areas as well.

He also issued directives for transparent distribution of relief goods to each affected person without any discrimination.

The Sindh health secretary informed the meeting that the UN in its report denied that children’s deaths were caused by malnutrition. The views were also aired by Al Jazira TV in its documentary on the Thar situation, he said.