Federal govt to spent Rs 14 billion, provinces contribute Rs 12 billion for locust eradication.

ISLAMABAD -- The federal government would spend Rs 14 billion, along with the contribution of Rs 12 billion by provincial governments in order to counter the locust threats in the country.

This was stated by Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Syed Fakhar Imam while chairing the 5th meeting of NLCC on Saturday.

He said locust had found a new corridor as they were enteAring Pakistan from AfghanAistan - to DI Khan and Waziristan.

He was of the view that locusts attack had been minimized by combined efforts in majority areas, adding joint teams on the ground continued the spray and destroyed locust when it was on rested mode.

He said the federal and provincial governments, district administration and farmers were coordinating to tackle the locust attacks.

National Locust Control Center along with National Disaster Management Authority and district administrations were making effort to control the locust, he added.

About 8,000 army troops were deployed for the anti-locust operation. China extended a financial help of USD4.9 million to Pakistan, besides providing 53,000 liters of chemical for spray, sprayers and drones, he added.

He was of the view that 20...