‘Steps being taken to stamp out virus’

Minister urges people to follow safety rules to contain infestation

QUETTA: Provincial Minister for Agriculture Engineer Zamarak Khan Achakzai has said the provincial government is taking concrete steps to contain coronavirus outbreak.

"Covid-19 is a pandemic affecting the entire world. We do not have to fear corona, but fight it by implementing the lockdown and taking precautionary measures,"

Achakzai said while talking to media in Pishin after visiting a quarantine center and DHQ hospital.

Achakzai received detailed briefing from officials regarding the arrangements at the health facilities during the visit.

Achakzai said lockdown has not been enforced just in Quetta or Pishin but all over the world.

“The government has announced a ration package for the poor people affected by the shutdown, as regular distribution is in process. Ration is being distributed to  about six to eight thousand deserving families in Pishin district," he added.

“The purpose of the visit to Pishin is to review the arrangements in quarantine center and isolation wards set up for corona patients,” he said.

The provincial minister insisted that social distancing and precautionary measures can save people from this global disease until it is eradicated. “People should take  care of their health and diet. We have to cooperate with the government so that we can have a better life," Achakzai stressed.

He expressed satisfaction over the arrangements taken by the district administration to deal with the coronavirus and said Deputy Commissioner Pishin Qaim Lashari, Abdul Hanan Agha and his team have shown an excellent performance.

He said that steps are being taken to further improve the agriculture sector.

“Agriculture department is conducting spray to eliminate locusts and more steps will be taken in this regard,” he said.

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