AWARAN: Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif along with Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Friday visited the quake-hit area of Balochistan to review the on-going relief efforts.
Chief Minister Balochistan Abdul Malik Baloch and Senator Hasil Bizenjo were also present on the occasion.
Chief Secretary Balochistan gave a briefing to the chief minister Punjab and the federal interior minister about the relief and rescue operation being carried out with the help of the Pakistan Army.
It was briefed that the administration's top priority is to provide food and shelter to around 25,000 families affected by the Tuesday's devastating earthquake in which over 350 people died and hundreds others were injured.
Talking to media persons after the visit, Shahbaz and Chaudhry Nisar said they came to express solidarity with the quake affectees and tell them that all Pakistanis are with them in this hour of trial. They said the government will not rest until the last affectee is rehabilitated. They said the Baloch brothers should not consider them alone and the government will announce a package for their rehabilitation.
Nisar and Shahbaz said the government should be guided in this difficult time, and criticism for the sake of criticism should be avoided.
Meanwhile, different organisations staged protest on the occasion of the visit of Chaudhry Nisar and Shahbaz Sharif to quake affected areas. Awaran bazaar was completely shut down. The security forces cordoned off the whole area during the visit of Chaudhry Nisar and Shahbaz Sharif. Some protesters blocked the road leading to Awaran which was later opened by the security forces.
Shahbaz Sharif, Chaudhry Nisar visit quake-hit area to review relief operation