Sindh offers tents and cash for victims

AWARAN:

When asked by his Sindh counterpart Qaim Ali Shah, Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch seemed to have no clue as to how many tents were needed by earthquake victims.

This, however, was never reflected when the chief minister spoke to the media men at the Awaran Military Headquarters on Friday. Baloch graciously accepted the Rs50 million and the 5,000 tents given to the earthquake affected by the Sindh chief minister during the latter’s visit to Balochistan.

Qaim along with Khursheed was briefed by the military over the relief operations being conducted in the province.

Mashkai, Awaran and Mangoli were the most affected, the officials were briefed. Around 40% of the infrastructure in all the three cities was razed to the ground.

During the briefing the military official pointed out that the destruction in these areas has been on such a massive scale because the houses in the area are built of mud and could not withstand the shocks.

Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah later stated that the government was still in the process of ascertaining the magnitude of the disaster and soon as the estimates of damage start pouring in the Sindh government will further extend its help to their ‘Baloch brothers’.

Expressing grief over the devastation and loss of precious lives and properties, the chief minister added, “People of Sindh have great attachment with the people of Balochistan.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 28^th, 2013.