Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar visited the quake-hit areas of Balochistan on Friday to review the ongoing relief efforts.
Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Malik Baloch and Senator Hasil Bizenjo were also present on the occasion.
In a briefing to Shahbaz and Nisar over the relief and rescue operation being carried out with the Pakistan Army’s help, Balochistan chief secretary said the administration’s top priority was to provide food and shelter to around 25,000 families affected by Tuesday’s earthquake in which over 350 people died and hundreds others were injured.
Talking to reporters, Shahbaz and Nisar said they had come to Balochistan to express solidarity with the quake-affected people and tell them that all Pakistanis were with them in this hour of trial.
They said the government would not rest till the last person affected was rehabilitated, adding that the government would soon announce a rehabilitation package for its Baloch brothers.
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 a protest on the occasion of the Nisar and Shahbaz’s visit to the quake-hit areas. Awaran bazaar was completely shut down. Security forces cordoned off the whole area during the ministers’ visit. Some protesters blocked the road leading to Awaran which was later opened by the security forces.