Staff Reporter
Lahore
Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar is closely monitoring the efforts by the Federal Ministry of National Food Security & Research and Department of Plant Protection (DPP) to combat the menace of desert locust in Sindh and other parts of the country. For the purpose, he spoke to CM Sindh to set up a joint task force for the effective implementation of combat plan.
The new Federal Minister after taking control of Ministry sought briefing about the efforts rendered by the department and result achieved to that effect. The Minister was briefed that DPP had utilized all its available resources, both at ground level and aerial, to combat the desert locust. Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar talked to the Governor and CM Sindh to evaluate the enormity of situation. He directed the department concerned to rigorously track the movement of locust swarms to contain and prevent it from entering agricultural land.
It is pertinent to mention that Federal Minister Khusro Bakhtiar has committed his resolve that no efforts would be spared to beat the looming perilous situation. Moreover, the Minister Khusro Bakhtiar has called an emergency meeting in the Ministry to discuss best possible options and resources to expedite the efforts to that effect.
The Minister has directed that all available planes at the disposal of Department of Plant Protection (DPP) to be utilized as early as possible for aerial spray in focused areas where locust population could not be contained through ground operation(s).
