QUETTA: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Political Communication Dr Shahbaz Gill called on Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani on Friday to discuss issues of mutual interest, including the Covid-19 situation.

Dr Gill appreciated the steps taken by the Balochistan government to contain the spread of the virus. He said it was not right to criticise the steps taken by the Balochistan government in Taftan without knowing the ground realities. He said that he had visited various districts of Balochistan on the instructions of the prime minister.

The meeting also discussed the impact of the coronavirus on the economy and social sectors. He said Covid-19 had shaken the world’s economy, but the situation was also creating new opportunities and technological possibilities. Gill said that coronavirus did not only kill humans but it was also a big challenge for the economy.

The chief minister said that in the beginning it was difficult to convince the people about the dangers of Covid-19 but now they were becoming cautious.

He said that the food security situation in the country an was satisfactory and due to God’s mercy the economic effects of the pandemic were not very harmful yet.

The chief minister said that so far only estimates were being made all over the world regarding the behaviour of the coronavirus and only after thorough research the correct situation was revealed.

He said that the government of Balochistan had made a plan to reduce the impact of coronavirus on employment and business. The budget for the next financial year included more financial assistance programmes that would enable the youth to start their own businesses, the chief minister said, adding that the aim of the entrepreneurship was to make the people financially independent.

The chief minister said that there were opportunities for economic activities in every district of Balochistan, especially in agriculture, fisheries and livestock, and there were bright prospects for doing business in other sectors as well.

The Special Assistant to the Prime Minister appreciated the vision of Balochistan chief minister and the steps taken by the provincial government for the development and stabilisation of the economy.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2020