KARACHI: Dr Ishtiaq Husain Qureshi, Deputy Minister for Refugees and Rehabilitation, expressed concern on Tuesday [May 2] at the continued influx of refugees into Sind, which, he said, `has assumed alarming proportions`. He disclosed ... that about 4,000 refugees are now crossing into Western Pakistan every day.

Giving impressions of his recent ... tour of Shikarpur, Sukkur, Pithoro, Khokropar and Hyderabad, Dr Qureshi stressed that there was an `acute shortage of water, shelter and shade` at the border areas, and that `with any increased influx the present arrangements will break down and a large number of old men, women and children will die of heat stroke and thirst`.

Replying to a question, the Deputy Minister said he `very much hoped` that reports suggesting that the Bharati railways were contemplating the despatch of five special trains a day for the refugees,instead of the two as hitherto, were not correct `because if the number of incoming refugees increases, it will create grave difficulties... .

Dr Qureshi said there was `no truth` in the allegation that the Government of Pakistan have encouraged artisans to migrate from Bharat. News agencies