STAMPEDES AT FLOUR DISTRIBUTION CENTRES KILL 23 IN PAKISTAN

Since the beginning of the holy month of Ramzan, at least 23 people have lost their lives due to stampedes at distribution points for flour in various provinces of Pakistan, as reported by Asian Lite International. Women and children are among the casualties, with thousands of flour bags also stolen from trucks and distribution points.

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One such incident occurred on March 23 in the Charsadda district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, resulting in one fatality and four injuries. Another incident on March 28 led to the deaths of two women and injuries to 45 people during a free flour distribution in Punjab's Sahiwal district.

These distribution centres have seen large crowds gathering since the government launched an initiative in March to offer free flour to low-income families during Ramzan, in response to record-breaking inflation that has pushed poverty rates up to a 50-year high of over 30 percent.

Media reports suggest allegations of preferential treatment to those with "connections" or who have bribed government officials at the distribution centres. Videos and images on social media show people waiting for hours and being mistreated to buy a few bags of flour.