Balochistan to nominate Javed Jabbar for NFC: Shahwani

Spokesperson says govt will take the opposition into confidence regarding the measures taken against coronavirus

QUETTA: Balochistan Government spokesperson Liaquat Shahwani said it is the prerogative of the provincial government to nominate Javed Jabbar for the National Finance Commission (NFC). “The government will take the opposition into confidence regarding the measures taken against coronavirus.”

He added that, it is pertinent to note that more than 300,000 families in the province have been affected by the lockdown. “The reduction in tax collection will affect the budget for the next financial year. Budget preparation is underway which will be presented in June within a week," Shahwani said while addressing a press conference at the Civil Secretariat on Sunday.

The GoB spokesperson further said, trade organisations had assured strict implementation of precautionary measures against coronavirus. "Despite assurances, traders are not implementing SOPs due to which there is a risk of further spread of corona virus. Transporters have also assured that the SOPs would be implemented but the Chief Minister would decide if public transport will resumed or not.”

Shahwani went on to add that 668 new cases were reported in the province in just one week and 59% of the total cases were reported in the last two weeks. "We have come to the conclusion that economic problems cannot be ignored during the situation arising due to the coronavirus as more than 1.3 million families in the province have been affected by the lockdown.”

He also said, if the SOPs are not implemented, the government will be forced to tighten the lockdown again. "528 people were arrested for violating SOPs. Presently, the recovery rate from coronavirus is 18% and the mortality rate has risen to 2% now.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18^th, 2020.