AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Islamabad, February 16, 2020 (PPI-OT):Federal Minister for Food Security and Research Khusro Bakhtiar along with Chairman National Disaster Management Authority Lieutenant General Muhammad Afzal on Sunday visited the areas under locusts attack in Pipli Pahar region in Depalpure district Okara. While briefing the media persons the Federal Minister has said that Pakistan was under severe locusts attack after 27 years which possess a substantial threat to food security in the Country. He, however, said that in over 85 percent areas under attack the situation was under control.
The Federal Minister has stated that Federal Government has declared a state of emergency in view of the ongoing locusts attack in parts of Pakistan and said all institutions of the Country including National Disaster Management Authority, Plants Protection Department, Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air force and PDMAs and International Agencies are working to cope up this menace. He observed that if timely action not initiated, locusts attack can be a potential threat to National Food Security in the Country. He informed the media person that such attack came in the Country after 27 years and more than 20 others countries were also facing this problem.
He directed the assessment of the losses and assured the farmers that they will be taken care off. Chairman NDMA Lieutenant General Muhammad Afzal has said that a comprehensive strategy has already been devised to eliminate the locusts attack through chemical spray. He said that Army Aviation and Pakistan Air Force help will also be soughted if needed. Deputy Commissioner Okara Usman Ali briefed the visiting Minister and Chairman NDMA on situation after outbreak of locusts attack. Director General Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO’s Country Director, DG PDMA Punjab and others stakeholders were also present at the occasion.
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