BAHAWALPUR: In pursuance of the instructions by Chief Of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, the Pakistan Army, Bahawalpur Corps, has established a free medical-cum-relief camp at Channan Pir in Cholistan for the drought-like people living in the desert areas.

According to an ISPR press release, the camp will remain operative during the ongoing summer season with the assistance of the district administration and will provide meals, water and medical aid to the local population in need of such relief.

Bahawalpur Corps Commander Lt Gen Khalid Zia inspected the 42-bed heatstroke centre at Channa Pir and expressed satisfaction over the measures taken for providing relief and help to the Cholistan inhabitants.

The corps commander was briefed that the people of the desert were being provided drinking water and meals in addition to medicines at the camp.

The ISPR says that through collaboration between the civil-military administrations, three mobile health teams, equipped with heatstroke treatment facilities and water bowsers, are visiting 10 remote base camps established for provision of medical treatment and potable water to migrants in Cholistan desert and their cattle.

It says that over 300,000 liters of safe drinking water has been provided to 70 villages, along with filling of locally made water reservoirs (toba), while over 5,000 patients have been treated and provided with free medicines through these camps.

Moreover, it says, free ration packs and cooked food is being provided in far-flung areas of Cholistan. Facility of veterinary treatment for the livestock is also being provided at the base camps.

The corps commander also visited the camp at Chanan Pir where he was given a detailed briefing by army officers and divisional commissioner on relief measures.

He assured local population of all possible support by the Pakistan Army till normalisation of situation in Cholistan.

Meanwhile, a delegation led by regional commissioner of the Pakistan Girl Guides Association, Bahawalpur Division, and former MNA Begum Parveen Masood Bhatti, distributed small tanks among the Cholistani people to store drinking water.

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2022