Help will be provided to the civil administration to eradicate locusts, Army Chief

Thursday, June 4th: Every possible help will be given to the civil administration to eradicate the locusts, Army Chief.

Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has said that Pak Army will do everything possible to help the civil administration to eradicate locusts. Effective operations are essential to ensure food security in the country so as not to have a negative impact on the economy.

The army chief has said that the government has declared a national emergency to control locusts. The Pakistan Army will provide every means to assist the civil administration.

According to Pakistan Army Public Relations (ISPR), Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa said this during a visit to the Anti-Locust Heart Center. On the occasion, Lieutenant General Moazzam Ijaz briefed the Army Chief on the situation.

COAS visited National Locust Control Center #NLCC Rwp. Was briefed by Lt Gen Moazzam Ejaz, Chief Coordinator NLCC, about efforts being undertaken to counter locust threat. COAS appreciated NLCC role in synergizing national efforts in line with National Action Plan. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/ulpzmf1hvd

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) June 4, 2020

According to the Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), locusts are present in 52 districts of Pakistan and emergency measures are being taken to address them.

According to the NDMA, 31 districts in Balochistan, 10 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 4 in Punjab and 7 in Sindh have been affected by locusts. Officials say 1,128 teams are taking part in the locust control operation, and 350,000 hectares have been surveyed in the past 24 hours.

According to the report, 4900 hectares of land has been treated with locusts. In Balochistan, an area of 3200 hectares has been sprayed and sprayed on 100 hectares in Punjab.

Earlier, the NDMA spokesperson had said that 1000 hectares of land had been treated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa while 600 hectares had been treated in Sindh yesterday. The NDMA said that so far 497,000 hectares have been sprayed across the country.