LAHORE: The Punjab government on Sunday offered to provide free medical treatment and other healthcare facilities to the victims of Mastung blast in hospitals all over the province.

This offer was extended by Chief Secretary Akbar Durrani to his Balochistan counterpart Akhter Nazir Warraich in a letter, says a handout issued here.

The Punjab government condemned the sad incident of suicide bombing at a political gathering in Mastung in which many precious lives were lost and around 150 people suffered injuries. “In this hour of grief and sorrow the government and people of Punjab express sympathies and solidarity with the families of the victims,” said the letter.

The chief secretary in his letter further said there was no substitute for human lives, however sufferings of victims should be mitigated by extending help and care to the injured and bereaved families.

He said the Punjab government was ready to provide free medical treatment to the victims of the blast through its facilities spread all over the province.

“It will be a privilege for the people and the government of Punjab to help our brethren in this hour of need,” he said, praying that “Allah bestow His blessings on the departed souls”.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2018