Hafiz Hamdullah strongly criticizes govt over unabating forest fire in Shirani district of Balochistan

ISLAMABAD, May 22 (SABAH): Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Spokesperson Hafiz Hamdullah on Sunday strongly criticised the government’s response to the unabating forest fire in the Sherani district of Balochistan.

Hafiz Hamdullah in a statement issued on social media on Sunday stated that the forest fire has become extremely dangerous, as flames have grown to engulf a vast area of 40 square kilometers.

The PDM spokesperson added that three people had died as a result of the fire, while several others sustained injuries according to the police.

As the forest continues to burn, the spokesperson said, “why did the state, provincial and federal governments remain silent for 13 days?” He claimed that no significant steps have been taken at any level to control the fire in the region.

Expressing disappointment in the lack of government response, Hamdullah stated that after 13 days a plane has been ordered from Iran to help with the fire-fighting efforts, as an act of charity.

“A nuclear state does not even have the resources to put out fires,” the spokesman added.

Referring to the incident of TikToker Nosheen Syed, who allegedly started a fire at Margalla Hills, the PDM spokesperson stated that government officials and the media paid greater heed to the act than the fires in Balochistan. “The forest fire of Sherani had not been discussed anywhere for 12 days since it began,” he added.

He questioned whether there is any difference between the forests of Sherani and those in Islamabad.