Punjab stands by Balochistan

Shahbaz Sharif, Chaudhry Nisar visit quake-hit area to review relief operation in Balochistan

LAHORE - Reiterating Punjab’s resolve to stand by Balochistan in its hour of need, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif vowed to continue with help for rebuilding of the quake-ruined areas.

“Help and assistance is being extended to Balochistan earthquake-affected people and relief goods are being dispatched to the affected areas daily,” he told a delegation of lawmakers on Thursday. “The provincial government has donated Rs100 million to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for Rehabilitation of Earthquake survivors while Punjab lawmakers donated one-month salary to the fund. Lawmakers are leading the supply-and-distribution process and reporting to him daily" .He added that his helicopter was also being used for the cause while his government planned to construct a hospital in Awaran, the worst hit area.

He told the delegation that a team under Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Sher Ali Gorchani has been monitoring relief activities in Lasbela while another squad reached Rahim Yar Khan where a base camp was set up. Shahbaz said the Punjab government has sent 20 truckloads of 10-tonnes relief goods to Lasbela from Rahimyar Khan.

Inspecting the relief activities, PDMA Director General Asif has said 1,896 food hampers and 600 water bottles have been transported to Balohcistan. He said trucks are parked at roadside of helipad at Awaran from where relief items are transported to affectees by helicopter.

He said the schedule of flights from Karachi to Awaran by helicopter has been set as per the weather conditions according to which three sorties are made from morning to evening. Asif said the Punjab chief minister directed to dispatch 90 trucks from Rahimyar Khan to Lasbela and 3,000 food hampers will be dispatched daily by three trucks.

 He said the Punjab government has dispatched 20,000 food hampers for the help and assistance of earthquake affectees.

< The Nation >