Locust attack combined with COVID-19 a huge challenge for Pakistan: PM

Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that locust attack combined with coronavirus pandemic is a huge challenge for Pakistan.

He visited visited National Locust Control Center (NLCC) in Islamabad on Friday. During the meeting, the PM was informed that National Action Plan for Locust Control Phase-I has been completed.

The premier was briefed by National Coordinator NLCC Lieutenant General Moazzam Ijaz on locust control measures taken in affected areas of the country.

He was also briefed about the coordinated efforts being made for monitoring, control, and awareness campaign for locust control at national, provincial and districts’ levels.

The PM lauded timely and coordinated response of federal and provincial governments, including Pakistan Army, for effectively controlling locust attack.

He also approved Phase-II of the National Action Plan for Locust Control. It was also decided that the affected farmers would also be compensated through this package.

He was also informed that a locust swarm movement is expected from Horn of Africa via Iran and another from India, for which necessary control measures are in place. Since it involves food security of Pakistan, PM said that the government would take every possible effort for locust control.