Balochistan CM vows steps to defeat coronavirus

Jam Kamal Khan meets SAPM on Health Dr Zafar Mirza in Quetta

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani on Wednesday said the provincial government is taking extraordinary measures to prevent coronavirus from spreading in the country, adding that isolations wards were being established in Balochistan.

“Every single individual coming to Pakistan from Iran or Afghanistan will be screened following the outbreak,” Kamal said while meeting with Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Health Dr Zafar Mirza here in Quetta.

“Government of Balochistan is taking all safety measures in this regard,” he added.

The meeting also reviewed the issues and difficulties faced by the Pakistani pilgrims, business community and workers who are stuck in Iran and agreed on taking emergency measures to bring them back.

It was also decided to turn Pakistan Center at Taftan border into an isolation ward while nearest building at Pak-Afghan border will also be used for quarantine purposes. Kamal directed DG Health and Provincial Disaster Management Authority to complete necessary work in this regard.

The chief minister also informed that health teams with thermal guns and other equipment were deployed to carry out screening of passengers at the borders.

Meanwhile, Mirza reiterated that the federal government has made screening of passengers travelling from Iran or China through air, sea or highways mandatory and said passengers suspected of coronavirus are being shifted to isolation wards.

“We are establishing a call centre in an attempt to spread awareness among the people regarding safety precautions against the virus. Any individual with virus symptoms can also contact the health experts,” Mirza said.

The Special Assistant to PM also visited the Pak-Iran border in order to discuss the issues of Pakistani pilgrims stranded in Iran and review the facilities being provided to them in the neighbouring country.

Discussing the health insurance card initiative launched by Prime Minister Imran Khan, Mirza told Kamal that the centre has allocated Rs300 million for Balochistan in this regard and said the initiative would benefit half a million families in the province.

CM presents offer letter for housing scheme

Kamal on Wednesday presented an offer letter of a proposed Journalist Housing Scheme to key office-bearers of journalistic bodies in Quetta.

The CM handed over the offer letter to the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists President Shahzad Zulfiqar and the Quetta Press Club President Razaur Rehman at the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected members of the Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ). The CM took the oath.

Speaking on the occasion, the CM said the Journalists Housing Scheme was plagued with delays for the last 30 years but the current government at least removed all these hurdles. He expressed optimism that the newly elected body of BUJ would continue striving for journalists’ rights in Balochistan.

Talking about performance of his government, Kamal said during the last 18 months he has learned that sincerity is a prime tool for any government to improve condition of people.

“The current government has been working in order to address public issues and develop Balochistan. Efficient policies are being unveiled in the better interest of Balochistan,” he said. He vowed to set a precedent of good governance for the next government.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 27^th, 2020.