News Desk:
QUETTA: Corps Commander Balochistan, Lieutenant General Asif Ghafoor chaired a high-level meeting, which reviewed the ongoing rescue and relief operations in the province. Heads of the concerned departments including the National Highway Authority (NHA), Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) and other officials attended the meeting.
The heads of the concerned departments thoroughly briefed the coordination committee comprising senior civil and military officials about the rescue, relief operations, and the efforts to restore railway link, road link, and gas and power supplies to Quetta and other parts of Balochistan.
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7-day plan prepared for six worst-hit districts
Although post-recovery planning and rescue and relief efforts are ongoing across Balochistan, a particular focus would be given to the rescue and relief operations in the six worst affected districts, including Naseerabad, Jafarabad, Sahabatpur, Kachhi, Lehri, and Jhal Magsi.
In these districts, the victims of previously inaccessible areas will be reached immediately. All stakeholders prepared and coordinated a detailed plan for the necessary rescue/relief efforts in these areas for the next 7 days.
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Tent camps to be set up
Tent camps will be set up in these badly affected districts and all displaced persons will be taken care of in these camps. For better maintenance, it was also agreed that the District Administration and Army/FC posted in the area will set up their offices inside the tented camp.
The district administration will ensure that food and medical supplies are available in these tent camps in the required quantity and that further stockpiles are made to avoid any shortage.
A joint survey will continue for the rest of the districts to assess the damage to the supply of relief goods and timely rehabilitation.
All major highways restored in Balochistan: Chairman NHA
■Chairman National Highway Authority said that almost all major arteries except the N65 have been restored and all roads will be connected within the next seven days. Chairman NHA also offered the services of his department for inter-provincial road links. Commander Balochistan Lieutenant General Asif Ghafoor assured the full cooperation of the Pakistan Army in this regard.
Also Read: Gas Power supplies remain suspended in Balochistan for fourth consecutive day
Pakistan railway considering shuttle service from Quetta to Machh
■ DS Railway Quetta informed that a high-level technical team of Railways and NLC is visiting Machh to review efforts for rehabilitation of Quetta Sabi railway track and reconstruction of Machh railway bridge. In this regard, it was discussed that the Railways may immediately consider a short-term solution for the restoration of railway services in Balochistan. In this regard, the option of shuttle service for road passengers from Quetta to Machh was also considered.
■ Chief Executive Officer QESCO, Engineer Kareem Jamali briefed the forum on the timeline for the complete restoration of electricity in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan. The CEO of QESCO will visit the inaccessible/remote affected areas in a helicopter provided by the Army for speedy restoration of power.
Work is underway on the war-footing basis to restore gas supply
■In the backdrop of gas supply disruption to Quetta, the forum was informed that SSGC is working on a war footing to restore gas supply to Quetta and other parts of Balochistan. Technical teams have reached the spot and rehabilitation of both 12-inch and 24-inch pipelines near Bibi Nani is in progress. The army will provide all possible assistance in this regard.
■For the restoration of telecommunication services in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan, the Commander informed the forum that the PTA is being approached to repair the fiber as soon as possible.
■ Finally, the Commander thanked the participants for the teamwork and tireless efforts of all the institutions.
