PR, NLC to be used for food supply: Balochistan CM

Urges federal govt to import testing kits for COVID-19; support daily wagers

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal has laid emphasis on employing the services of the National Logistics Cell (NLC) and the Pakistan Railways to ensure supply of foodstuff and other essentials in the country during the coronavirus-induced lockdown.

“It is essential to use services of the Pakistan Railways and the NLC for smooth supply of food items in the country. A mechanism of transportation must be devised,” Kamal said on Friday while addressing a food security meeting via video link. Prime Minister Imran Khan was chairing the moot.

The NLC is a logistics company run by the Pakistan Army. It provides state-emergency level management services to the government.

Kamal said there is a need for free and smooth supply of foodstuff and basic necessities of life during the pandemic. “Special measures must to be taken for the smooth supply of goods to Hub Industrial Estate and other industrial units from ports.”

The CM also called for granting relaxation to industrial units on payments of electricity bills, the Employees Old-age Benefit Institution (EOBI) payments and other taxes.

He said testing kits for COVID-19 must be imported from abroad and it is essential to arrange a mechanism to support daily wagers.“For smooth supply of ration to the needy and the poor, it is crucial to chalk out a mechanism in consultation with welfare organizations. The data of polio campaigns can be utilized for special supply of allowances to the poor.”

Prime Minister Imran Khan appreciated the suggestions given by the chief minister and directed authorities to present these suggestions in the meeting of working group of Food Security.

Doctors, security officials praised

Jam Kamal also lauded doctors, nurses, paramedics, security forces and government officers who are tackling the coronavirus and urged citizens to join hands with the government to stem the further spread of the fatal virus.

“Despite limited resources, our health staff, government officers and security personnel have been performing their duties in order to handle the COVID-19 crisis that has gripped the entire world,” Kamal said in a video statement on Friday. “Those battling against the coronavirus on the frontline are our real heroes.”

He said despite lack of resources, Balochistan government is the first to respond to COVID-19 at Taftan border. “The rest of the provinces were in panic when the virus surfaced in Iran but Balochistan provided facilities to nearly 5,000 people including (Iran-returned) pilgrims at Taftan,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 29^th, 2020.