Emergency declared in province to fight locust attack

PDMA cancels holidays of employees to deal with any calamity

QUETTA: Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has cancelled holidays of employees in pursuance of locust emergency that is declared across Balochistan.

PDMA has imposed emergency in the province as locusts are occupying several districts. According to a notification issued by the body, all the officers and staff members of the PDMA in Balochistan are directed to be present in the offices during the holidays at all times. PDMA office is to remain open on all the public holidays, including Saturday and Sunday, a notification said.

Earlier on Thursday, Balochistan Chief Secretary Capt (retd) Fazeel Asghar presided over a meeting to review preventive measures against locust attacks in various districts of Balochistan, including the provincial capital.

“The government has declared national emergency following the locust attack across the country. In this regard, the provincial government will utilise all resources to prevent locusts from destroying agricultural land,” the chief secretary said.

Provincial Finance Secretary Noorul Haq Baloch, Senior Member Board of Revenue Qamar Masood, civil and military officials also attended the meeting.

The officials briefed the CS regarding recent attacks. Meanwhile, the provincial government has already released funds to purchase machinery and necessary equipment to deal with any unwanted situation.

The chief secretary directed authorities to submit performance report in the next meeting.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 17^th, 2020.