Punjab Government Spokesman
- October 14, 2013, 9:43 pm
- Breaking News
- 164 Views
QUETTA oct 14 (PPI): A spokesman of Punjab Government has said that the Provincial Government has, so far, supplied relief goods upto 950 tons, worth Rs. 135 million, which include 50850 Food Hampers, 2300 Flour Bags of 10KG, 10150 tents, 3 trucks of medicines, 350 blankets and 5000 mosquito nets.
The spokesman further said that Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has dedicated his helicopter to carry out relief activities, which is flying ten hours daily. The Punjab Government has also formulated different committees for packing of relief goods, purchase, quality and transportation, so that quality essential items can be provided to the earthquake victims. The spokesman said the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) is continuing its rehabilitation relief activities, while it is providing 3000 food hampers daily on three trucks.
The spokesman pointed out that the people of Punjab are vigorously assisting their Balochi brethrens in their hour of need , while Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif sent a delegation, under the leadership of, Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly Sher Ali Gorchani, which included Provincial Ministers Abdul Wahid Ch, Ch. Muhammad Shafiq and other members of provincial assembly, for monitoring the process of provision of relief goods to the earthquake victims. In this connection, a base camp has also been setup at Rahim Yar Khan, while a liaison office has been made at Lesbaila for monitoring of relief activities.
The spokesman informed that Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has also announced a Special Relief Eid Package for the earthquake victims of Avaran. Chief Minister has also appreciated the performance of helicopter pilots of Punjab Government, and has announced one month honorarium for them. Chief Minister has also asked helicopter pilots to continue their relief duty, even during Eid Holidays.
The spokesman emphasized that Chief Minister is himself also monitoring the relief activities, beside visiting earthquake affected areas, despite his illness, in order to express sense of solidarity with the Baloch Brethren. During his visit Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif expressed his full assistance to Chief Minister Balochistan and said that the People of Punjab would not leave their Balochi brethren alone in this time of difficulty. Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif declared that he would not rest till the rehabilitation of earthquake victims of Balochistan, as helping them is our collective religious and national duty.
The spokesman said Punjab Chief Minister had also announced setting up of a modern hospital in Balochistan, at an initial cost of Rs. 80 crore. The spokesman asserted that Punjab Government has chalked out a comprehensive and well-coordinated programme for rehabilitation of homeless persons, under which essential food items are being made available on daily basis, while Director General PDMA has been directed to remain in earthquake stricken areas, till improvement of the situation. Furthermore, on the directive of Punjab Chief Minister, a women delegation, under the leadership of provincial Minister Hameeda Wahid Uddin and Muslim League Leader Marvi Memon also visited earthquake stricken areas in order to ensure provision of essential items, in accordance with the needs of affected women.
The spokesman said that Punjab Chief Minister has also donated an amount of Rs. 10 million to the Prime Minister Relief Fund, while Members of Punjab Assembly has donated their one month salary, worth Rs 16 million. Similarly, government servants, above grade 16, have also donated their one day salary to the relief fund worth 110 million rupees. On the appeal of the Punjab Chief Minister, philanthropists are also giving donations, with an open heart, to ensure rehabilitation and relief activities for earthquake victims of Balochistan, the spokesman added.
