At least five people have been killed and dozens more injured in Pakistan in recent weeks after stampedes at sites distributing free flour under a government-backed scheme to combat rising prices of basic necessities. can help families struggling with
Thousands of people gathered at centers set up across the country as part of the government’s efforts to reduce the effects of inflation, which is more than 30 percent at a 50-year high.
Basic commodity prices have risen even further, with flour prices rising by more than 45 percent in the past year.
The Pakistani government has launched a flour distribution program to reach millions of needy families during the holy Islamic month of Ramadan, which began last week.
Provincial Information Minister Aamir Mir told Reuters that four people, including two women, had died at distribution sites in Punjab, adding that two of the dead also had underlying health conditions.
“Many (more) have been injured due to the rush at some places.. Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has ordered an inquiry into the incidents,” Mir said.
Another person was killed in a stampede at a distribution center in northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province last week, according to records shared by the provincial food authority.
According to records, thousands of bags of flour were also looted from trucks and distribution points.
Khan Ghalib, an official of the provincial food department, said that there were some unfortunate incidents of stampede and looting. “Due to heavy rush and stampede of men at the distribution centres, women faced problems.”
The province’s Food Minister Fazl Elahi told Reuters he planned to spend 19.77 billion rupees ($69.74 million) to deliver flour to more than 5.7 million families.
The deadly rush underscores growing frustration with rising costs, a falling currency and the end of subsidies with the International Monetary Fund to open the latest tranche of its bailout package.
