250,000 deserving families to be provided ration bags: CM inaugurates free ration distribution among deserving families under Ramadan Food Package

250,000 deserving families to be provided ration bags: CM inaugurates free ration distribution among deserving families under Ramadan Food Package

Mir Sarfraz Bugti asserts action to be taken against Deputy Commissioners on closure of highways in their respective districts; rejects claims of opposition leader Umar Ayub regarding “no go areas” in Balochistan and separation

QUETTA: The Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Sarfraz Bugti formally inaugurated the free ration distribution among the deserving facilities under Ramadan Food Package in the province.
Under the Ramadan Food Package, some 250,000 deserving families would be provided ration bags during the holy month.
The Chief Minister inaugurated the ration distribution among deserving families at the office of Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) here on Sunday afternoon.
Also present on the occasion were the Parliamentary Secretary for social welfare, Wali Muhammad Noorzai, Member Provincial Assembly, Agha Umar Ahmedzai, Director general PDMA, Jahanzaib Khan and other concerned high ups.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister said that we are fully aware of the hardships of poor and deserving people, this is why, the government had decided to provide relief to them a month ago.
He said that PDMA had been directed to distribute the ration bags among deserving families during Ramadan month.
He said that the deputy commissioners have done shortlisting of the families. He said that the objective behind distribution of ration distribution is to increase happiness of the deserving people in Ramadan.
However, there are hardships in distribution of the ration among families due to the closure of highways in different parts of the province, he added. Still, it is our utmost endeavor to provide the relief to the people at their doorstep at the earliest.
He said that all Deputy Commissioners have been directed to take care of the self-respect of people and avoid photography while distributing the ration.
To a query, the Chief Minister said that we have not handed over ration to the members of assembly, rather they are just supervising the process. However, the ration should be distributed among the deserving people with consultation of the members of assembly.
He said that the circumstances of Balochistan are quite different than other provinces. He said that how we can make payments to the people in remote areas where they have no bank accounts.
He said that it has been decided to take action against the Deputy Commissioners who didn’t show performance in opening the highways in their respective areas. The Deputy Commissioners who failed to restore traffic on highways in their respective districts would be removed from the post, he added.
He expressed sorrow over closure of the highways despite the clear court’s directives. As a result, the common citizens are to face hardships and inconvenience, he regretfully pointed out.
He also noted with concern that some elements make shield to the women and children for closing the highways.
He said that the government knows well as how to open roads and establish its writ, as was done in Gwadar.
But still the government shows restraint and patience, he added.
To another query, Chief Minister asked the opposition leader Umar Ayub to tell as which districts are no go in Balochistan?
He also vehemently rejected the claims about freedom and separation in the province saying that there is no reality in such claims.
Earlier, DG PDMA briefed the Chief Minister about the Ramadan Ration Package. He informed that the Ramadan Ration Programme has been initiated under arrangements of PDMA. The ration bags weighing 48 kilograms each would be provided to 250,000 families. A ration bag would be enough for meeting 15 days ration need of seven people.
The Chief Minister on the occasion congratulated Chief Secretary and DG PDMA and their team on successful launching of the Ramadan ration package.
He stressed that the ration should be provided to the deserving people at their doorstep without any photo session.