DERA GHAZI KHAN: In a whirlwind tour, Chief Minister Usman Buzdar visited Rahim Yar Khan, Rojhan and Mirpur Mathelo in Sindh on Thursday.

The chief minister presided over a meeting at Rahim Yar Khan airport where the Bahawalpur commissioner briefed him about the ongoing anti-locust drive and the coronavirus situation.

Mr Buzdar ordered a swift action to save crops from locust attack and strict compliance of anti-coronavirus SOPs. Markets and commercial areas would be sealed in case of SOPs violation, he warned.

Mr Buzdar learned out of 8,598 people tested for coronavirus, 752 were positive in the Bahawalpur region. Three field hospitals of 505-bed have been established to counter the virus situation.

Similarly, anti-dengue measures have also been taken along with an effective locust surveillance mechanism in Bahawalpur. Up to 95,535 hectares have been sprayed and two aircraft along with more than 50 vehicles are being utilized to curb the locust attack.

More than 10 million acre is under surveillance in Bahawalpur division.

The meeting offered fateha for the father of MNA Javed Iqbal Warraich and the son of Aamer Nawaz Chandia. Assembly members from Rahim Yar Khan and officials were present.

He also visited the residence of Sardar Shamsher Ali Mazari in Rojhan to express condolence over the murder of his brother, former MPA Sardar Atif Mazari.

Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Sardar Dost Muhammad Mazari, Adviser Hanif Pitafi, Sardar Ahmed Ali Dareshak and notables of the area were also present.

The chief minister visited Garhi Chakar Mirpur Mathelo and condoled with Sardar Rahim Bakhsh Buzdar over the death of his mother.

The tribal elders stated that dwellers of south Punjab had been granted their rights in the incumbent tenure.

Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2020