November 03, 2008	Monday	Ziqa'ad 4, 1429

QUETTA, Nov 2: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah handed over on Sunday a cheque for Rs70 million to his Balochistan counterpart Nawab Aslam Raisani for relief and rehabilitation of earthquake victims.

Speaking at a press conference, along with Nawab Raisani and Leader of the House in the Senate Raza Rabbani, Mr Shah said that the Sindh government would also send relief goods, including tents, warm clothes and foodstuff.

He said that the Sindh government had sent 5,000 blankets to the quake-hit villages of Ziarat district, while other items would be reaching soon.

“The people of Balochistan will find their Sindhi brethren standing shoulder to shoulder with them at this hour of distress.”

The Sindh government would extend all possible cooperation in the relief and rescue operation and for rehabilitation of the quake-hit people, he added.

Raza Rabbani said that a Senate delegation would soon visit the quake-affected villages of Ziarat and Pishin districts to assess the extent of damage.

Nawab Raisani thanked Qaim Ali Shah for helping the people affected by the quake.

He said that the relief and rescue operation was in full swing in the affected areas.

APP adds: Mr Raisani said all 65 members of the Balochistan Assembly would give Rs1 million each from their discretionary funds for quake victims of Ziarat and Pishin districts.

He said that the provincial government had distributed 600 more tents in Kach on Sunday and another 400 tents would be sent to Ziarat on Monday.

SCHOOLS CLOSED: All government and private schools in Quetta will remain closed on Monday and Tuesday, adds our correspondent.

A handout issued here on Sunday said that provincial Education Minister Shafique Ahmed Khan had extended the closure of schools by two days. Educational institutions were closed for three days on Oct 29 after several districts in the province were hit by an earthquake.