Five people, including a woman, were hurt on April 2 at the free wheat flour distribution centre in Shorkot in Pakistan, which is now experiencing a severe flour shortage.
The Government Elementary School in Shorkot Cantt in Shorkot saw a large rush of people looking for free flour. The scuffle occurred between policemen and the people, leading to a stampede-like situation. As a result, five persons received injuries. They were given first aid at Shorkot Rafiqui Welfare Hospital. A man received stitches on his foot that was cut during the disorder, reported Dawn.
Aamir Mir, Punjab Caretaker Information Minister, has termed the reports of deaths during the flour distribution mere propaganda of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).
Aamir Mir said, “PTI leaders have told lies to mislead the people”.
Aamir Mir said the claim of death of dozens of people during the distribution of flour was nothing but mischief, but he added that three valuable lives were tragically lost due to the rush and that an investigation was ongoing, reported Dawn.
Eyewitnesses reported that a similar incident occurred at the same location two days prior when someone attempted to forcefully open the school’s gate to reach the distribution centre, and some people were also injured.
Meanwhile, the people blocked a road in protest against the non-availability of flour in Muzaffargarh on April 1, reported Dawn.
The people blocked a road for hours in the Jatoi area in protest against the non-availability of flour, alleging that some agents of the officials were charging Rs 200 per bag at the flour point.
The protest continued until the protesters received the flour. On March 31, in Karachi, at least 12 people, including 9 women, were killed in a stampede during a ration distribution drive in a factory, Geo News reported.
Three children were also killed, according to rescue officials and police authorities in the region.
Also, rescuers informed Geo News that six people passed out during the stampede. Police officers said that a sizable crowd had gathered at the location while the ration was being handed.
Pakistan is facing a major economic crisis triggered by a series of corrupt and failed Governments, military coups, rising international debts, no major exports, and a major class divide, Asian Lite reported. The country has reportedly doubled its debt roughly every five years over the last 25-year period. The report said prices are increasing, and the Government has failed to provide basic amenities like gas and power.
Karachi was shrouded under a gas load-shedding in the month of Ramazan. The citizens couldn’t prepare Sahri (meal eaten before Dawn during Ramazan) due to the gas shutdown and low supply, and the pakoras and samosas were left raw even in Iftar. The Jang reported that the people were wondering how to keep the fast and how to break it.
During the distribution of free Government flour in Charsadda, around 12 died, and several others were wounded in a stampede. According to sources, a stampede had broken out during the distribution of free Government flour in the market of Charsadda, leaving several injured.
Last month, a labourer in Punjab’s Narowal, along with two children, committed suicide by jumping into a canal. In another incident, a man in Muzaffargarh, reeling under inflationary pressure, committed suicide along with his four-year-old daughter.
(with inputs from ANI)
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