PM calls for making urgent arrangements for provision of baby food to flood-stricken children

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed his party's leadership to take emergency steps for the provision of baby food and other essential items in the flood-hit areas of the country.

Addressing a meeting on the flood situation through video link from New York, he directed the relevant authorities to mobilize provincial governments, donors and members of the food industry in this regard.

The Prime Minister also directed Finance Minister Miftah Ismail to immediately release five billion rupees for relief activities. He said food supply to the malnutrition, and stunted children should be ensured at any cost.

The Prime Minister said in order to overcome the shortage of tents, an order has been placed for the supply of two hundred thousand tents. He said under this order, ten thousand tents will be provided on daily basis. The Prime Minister also directed to ensure a smooth supply of required medicines, including Panadol and Paracetamol.

Shehbaz Sharif said he held meetings with the Presidents of Spain, France and the Chancellor of Austria to reinforce the government's appeal for relief goods to the flood-affected people in Pakistan. The Prime Minister said he will highlight the need of all relief goods for the poor people in flooded areas.

While directing the authorities to call an emergency meeting of the drug manufacturing association to devise a mechanism for the supply of medicines in flood-hit areas, the Prime Minister said we are taking every possible measure to serve the suffering humanity in a practical way.

The meeting was informed that strict action has been taken against the people involved in the hoarding of Panadol while confiscating 48 million doses of the desired medicine. Besides, foreign donors and NGOs have also been requested to provide essential medicines.

Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique informed the forum that the supply of tents is not sufficient and most of the people are making their own arrangements. He regretted that the national movement's momentum is insufficient to deal with the scope of calamity. He requested the Prime Minister to personally launch a campaign involving celebrities of the country.