QUETTA: Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Qasim Khan Suri has said that the federal government is making all-out efforts to save people from unemployment and severe impact of the coronavirus crisis.

Speaking at a distribution ceremony under the Ehsaas Cash Relief Programme at Quetta Press Club on Sunday, he said that he had come here to help deserving media people who were facing difficulties due to the coronavirus crisis.

Mr Suri said that recently a C-130 aircraft had arrived in Quetta from Islamabad several times and brought required equipment and other items sent by the National Disaster Management Authority to the Balochistan government.

He said that the world was passing through a difficult time as coronavirus had badly affected the entire world, killing thousands and rendering hundreds of thousands sick.

He advised the people to take precautions and avoid going out of their homes unnecessarily.

“Coronavirus cases are rapidly increasing in Balochistan, particularly in Quetta. The government as well as the people need to be cautious to prevent the spread of the virus,” he said.

“The poor people, particularly daily wage earners, are bearing the brunt of the lockdown imposed in the country. Therefore, the government has started a process of distributing Rs12,000 among the poor and deserving people. Millions of people have benefited from this initiative,” the deputy speaker said.

He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan had decided to ease the lockdown in phases and the construction sector had been given tax exemption. In an effort to prevent people from becoming unemployed, the federal government had allowed various sectors to resume functioning, he added.

“In addition, we are seeking a long-term solution,” Mr Suri said. “In the next budget, a comprehensive programme will be launched to boost Balochistan’s economy, with focus on agriculture, livestock, mines and minerals.”

Published in Dawn, April 20th, 2020