Balochistan CM says reconstruction in earthquake affected areas difficult

Abdul Malik says the people in Balochistan can't afford to have their houses reconstructed.

AWARAN: Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Malik Baloch said on Tuesday that the tricky part in providing relief to the earthquake affected areas would be reconstruction.

"Our people are very poor," Malik said while addressing the press,"and they can't afford the reconstruction."

He said that it was the responsibility of the federal government to get them above the poverty line.

"We have formed a plan and we intend to build on it," he added.

He said that the FC personnel were there to provide protection but it was the responsibility of the government to distribute tents and food supplies.

Around 25,000 tents have reached the earthquake affected sites and will be distributed.

The current death toll of the 7.7-manitude earthquake that hit Balochistan on September 24 stands at 357 with over 600 people injured.

According to the USGS, the epicentre was 23 kilometres below the ground in Awaran district. It was so powerful that it caused the seabed to rise and create a small, mountain-like island off Gwadar coast in the Arabian Sea.

The scale of the territory involved is daunting. Balochistan makes up about 45 percent of the Pakistan’s total area, and Awaran’s population is scattered over more than 21,000 square kilometres.