QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani has expressed concern over an increase in the number of coronavirus cases over the past one week in the province as people and various institutions did not follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs).

In a letter to all administrative secretaries, divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners, the chief minister ordered them to ensure implementation of the SOPs to save people from the deadly virus as it still existed in the province.

“Precautionary SOPs should be implemented till complete eradication of Covid-19 from Balochistan and use of masks and sanitisers in offices, shopping malls and public places should be ensured,” he said and directed the authorities concerned to take steps for creating awareness among the masses about the virus.

Meanwhile, provincial government’s spokesman Liaquat Shahwani said it was not a good sign that an increase in the coronavirus cases was witnessed during the past one week.

Speaking at a press conference here on Tuesday, he did not rule out re-imposition of the lockdown if people and government institutions did not follow the SOPs.

He said 88 people tested positive out of 1,238 tests conducted on Aug 14, while 11,000 people had recovered since the outbreak of coronavirus in Balochistan.

Mr Shahwani said that except marriage halls and schools, all sectors had been reopened in the province.

He said the provincial coalition government had completed two years in power and it had performed far better than previous regimes.

“The menace of corruption has declined in Balochistan during the past two years, while the chief minister abolished 2,500 schemes which were not benefiting the people. The government completed 1,400 schemes and held 24 cabinet meetings in two years,” he added.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2020