50 hurt in Pakistan stampede

ISLAMABAD - At least 50 people were injured in a stampede during distribution of relief cards among flood affected people in Pakistan’s Nowshera town Wednesday.

The cards - called “Watan cards” launched by Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) - make each flood-affected family eligible to receive Rs.20,000 in cash as part of the government’s flood relief measures.

According to officials, only a few people were called Wednesday to receive their cards but a huge crowd gathered at the site demanding the same.

The flood victims alleged irregularities in registration and issue of cards, and even said they were being given to people who have links with political leaders, while the deserving were not being registered.

The people blocked the road for four hours, forcing police to launch a baton charge, which led to the stampede, Online news agency reported.

The injured have been shifted to hospital where the condition of five people is said to be serious.