QUETTA: The Deputy Speaker of Punjab Assembly, Sher Ali Gorchani, visited the earthquake-hit Awaran district on Wednesday and handed over relief goods worth Rs100 million to the Balochistan government on behalf of the Punjab government under the Chief Minister’s winter relief package.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Gorchani said that people of Punjab would continue to support their quake-hit Baloch brethren till their complete rehabilitation.

“The people of Punjab will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Baloch people during this hard time,” he said.

He said 30,000 blankets and 60,000 quilts had been provided to earthquake survivors in Awaran. He said the people of Punjab had so far sent relief goods worth over Rs280m and contributed Rs259m to the Balochistan Relief Fund.

Mr Gorchani said the Punjab government would establish a modern hospital in Awaran and construct a model village. He said that children of Awaran would also be granted admission to medical colleges of Lahore.

The deputy of speaker also visited Mashi, a village badly affected by the earthquake, and distributed relief goods among people.

Talking to the area people, he said there was close coordination between governments of Balochistan and Punjab about distribution of relief goods.

He gave away winter relief packets among the area residents.