ISLAMABAD, Oct 30: The government asked the Utility Stores Corporation (USC) on Thursday to send 10,000 bags of relief goods to the earthquake-affected areas of Balochistan.

The directive was issued at a meeting convened by Adviser to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik to assess the pace of relief work.

The USC relief bags will contain foodstuff and stoves.

Mr Malik said the centre would fully support the Balochistan government at this difficult hour.

The meeting was attended by PPP Balochistan President Sardar Lashkari Raisani, Interior Secretary Syed Kamal Shah, National Disaster Management Cell Director General Brig (retd) Basharat Cheema and USC officials. The meeting was informed that 1,605 blankets, 1,666 tents and 720 sleeping bags had so far been distributed among the affected people.

The meeting was also informed that the provincial administration, army and Frontier Constabulary were pervising the operation and 13 helicopters were being used to deliver relief goods and airlift the injured.

Relief goods are also being sent from Karachi and Rawalpindi by C-130 aircraft.