The rise in inflation has left millions of people in Pakistan unable to afford a single meal. The government began distributing free flour bags in an effort to relieve the burden on low-income families, but the unorganised distributions resulted in stampedes, resulting in deaths and injuries, according to Dawn.
On Tuesday, at least seven people were injured in Punjab province’s Muzaffargarh after a flour distribution centre collapsed due to a large crowd. Four of the seven were said to be in critical condition. The administration’s poor management caused a stampede, prompting the police to take control.
Aside from the wall collapse incident, Dawn reports that police officers used batons on people at a free flour centre.
People blocked a road in the Jatoiarea to protest the administration’s poor management of the Point Moon Marriage Hall, raising slogans against the SHO, Jatoi, for his abusive behaviour towards them at the flour centre.
Meanwhile, in the Okara region, four women were injured and two became unconscious at the Depalpur free flour supply point.
Due to the high volume of people in the centre, a stampede occurred. Four women were injured after falling to the ground and being run over by others. The injured women who were lying on the ground were rescued by the police. They were later given first aid by rescuers.