Centre urged to boost Balochistan’s share

CM says closure of Pak-Iran border creating shortage of food items in province

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal has urged Prime Minister Imran Khan to increase the share of the province in the Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme and Benazir Income Support Programme.

“The federal government should enhance Balochistan’s share from 6.5% to 10% as 10 per cent population in the province is living below the poverty,” he said while addressing the National Coordination Committee meeting through video link on Wednesday.

“The province is looking for assistance from the Centre following the coronavirus pandemic,” he added.

Observing that the closure of Pak-Iran border was causing shortage of food items in the province’s bordering towns, the chief minister asked the federal government to play its role in proving relief to the people.

“A total of 12,000 Afghans returned to their country after restoration of Chaman border, while more than 10,000 Pakistanis who are stranded in Afghanistan are expected to return soon, therefore, the provincial government has established quarantine and isolation wards in Chaman,” he said. Kamal requested the federal government to send more coronavirus testing kits for the province.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 10^th, 2020.