ISLAMABAD, Sept 24: Former president Asif Ali Zardari has expressed grief and sorrow over the devastation caused by the earthquake that hit parts of Balochistan and Sindh on Tuesday.

He also urged the PPP workers to help victims of the calamity.

About 60 people died and over 200 others were injured when an earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale hit Pakistan. A large number of houses were razed to the ground trapping scores of people under the debris.

Farhatullah Babar, the spokesman for the ex-president said: “Former president is deeply grieved and shocked to learn about the earthquake and the loss of lives in Awaran [Balochistan].”

Mr Zardari said the earthquake had once again brought into focus the frailty of human beings before the forces of nature. He said the federal and provincial governments and local administration must’ve had mobilised their resources in rescue, relief and rehabilitation of victims.

Mr Zardari prayed for grant of eternal peace to the dead and courage to the bereaved families.

“My heart goes out to bereaved families and my thoughts and prayers are with them in this hour of trial and tribulation,” the spokesman quoted the former president as saying.