LAHORE, Oct 30: A fund has been set up for relief and rehabilitation of quake-hit people of Balochistan and every penny deposited in the fund will reach the target people, a handout quoted Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif as saying.

Speaking at a ceremony at Chief Minister’s Secretariat after sending relief goods for quake-hit people on behalf of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Thursday, Sharif said he would go to Balochistan on Friday (today) and present the Balochistan chief minister a cheque for Rs100 million for relief activities. He said supply of essential items to quake survivors began last night.

Sharif said he had directed the Punjab administration to help the affected people. He said there was a need to promote national unity and harmony among provinces at this hour of need.

On the death of a patient because of alleged negligence of doctors at Services Hospital, the chief minister said a thorough inquiry had been conducted and action had been taken against the guilty.

He said the government held doctors and teachers in high esteem, but efforts for improvement in health and education sectors would fail if they would not perform their duties with dedication.

PML-N Punjab President Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa said a cavalcade of 45 trucks laden with relief goods would leave for Rukni, one of the quake-hit areas of Balochistan, from Dera Ghazi Khan on Nov 1.