ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is grappling with food shortages after deadly floods left the agriculture belt underwater, the prime minister told the Turkish president by phone, as authorities scaled up efforts Monday to deliver food, tents and other items. Shahbaz Sharif spoke to Recep Tayyip Erdogan overnight to thank Turkey for dispatching food, tents and medicine by 12 military aircraft, four trains and Turkish Red Crescent trucks. A government statement said Sharif briefed Erdogan about the government’s relief activities and sought assistance from Turkey in overcoming the “food shortage.” Sharif also sought help from Turkey on reconstruction work in the flood-hit areas. The government, the military, UN agencies and local charities are providing food to these flood victims. Now it is in talks to import badly needed wheat and vegetables, including to people not directly affected by floods.

Source: The Nation September 12, 2022 23:09 UTC