COAS General Bajwa assures military’s assistance in combating locusts Attack
BY OUR BUREAU CHIEF
Islamabad, Rawalpindi: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has assured the nation the army will assist the civil administration in combating locust attacks, the military’s media wing said Thursday.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), in a statement, said that the army chief visited the National Locust Control Centre in Rawalpindi where he was briefed by Engineer-in-Chief Lieutenant General Moazzam Ejaz, who is the chief coordinator of NLCC.
Gen Bajwa appreciated National Locust Control Center’s role “in synergizing national efforts in line with the National Action Plan”, said the statement.
“The Army will make all possible resources available to help civil administration in combating the locust threat,” Gen Bajwa said.
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
He stressed that effective operations are essential for food security in the country and in mitigating the negative economic impact of the attacks.
“The government has already declared [a] national emergency in this regard,” the statement added.
Pakistan might lose $8.71 billion worth of agricultural crops during the summer season in case locusts destroyed 75 percent of the standing crops, The News had reported on Tuesday.
Senior agriculture scientist Dr Chaudhry Inayatullah said this as he spoke at an online lecture, titled ‘Locust Attack & Issues of Food Security’, organized by a think tank, Sindh Social Scientists Forum
Locust Attack
He said the locust attack in Pakistan during the year is of severe nature and coordinated efforts of the federal and provincial government departments were essential for the elimination of locust swarms, which were now in billions.
Dr Inayatullah said it is estimated that if 25% of the crops were damaged during the current season, the loss would be $2.9 billion and if 50% crops were eaten up by locusts, the losses would be around $5.8 billion.
Army Zindabad
Only Army can do it .Great work
Pak Army Zindabad