Political leaders express grief over loss of lives in Balochistan earthquake

Dunya News

Political leaders express grief over loss of lives in Balochistan earthquake

LAHORE (Dunya News) – Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president and opposition leader in National Assembly (NA) Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday has expressed grief over the deaths of people in Balochistan earthquake.

In a post on social-networking website Twitter, the PML-N leader stated, “Sad over the loss of precious lives due to earthquake in Balochistan last night. My profound condolences and prayers go out to the affected families.”

“The authorities must act on war footing to rehabilitate those affected by this disaster,” he demanded.

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has also expressed deep sorrow over loss of precious human lives in earthquake.

Federal Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid has said the civil armed forces are cooperating with the local administration in extending help to the quake victims of Balochistan.

In a statement, he said Frontier Corps Balochistan (North) is fully participating in the rescue efforts. He said all resources are being utilized to carry out rescue and relief work in Harnai and adjoining areas.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain has assured government’s full cooperation to the quake affected people of Balochistan.

In a statement, he expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of lives in the tremor and condoled with the bereaved families.

The Information Minister said the entire nation is aggrieved over the loss of lives in the quake. He said relevant departments have been directed to extend every possible assistance to the affected people.

The reactions came after a 5.9-magnitude earthquake that struck parts of Balochistan including Quetta before dawn on Thursday left 20 people dead and more than 300 injured as roofs and walls of several houses collapsed.

The tremor was also felt in Sibi, Pishin, Muslim Bagh, Qila Saifullah Kachlak, Harnai and surrounding areas. People came out of their homes in panic and started reciting verses from the Holy Quran.

According to National Seismic Monitoring Centre, Islamabad, the epicenter of the quake was located in Harnai at the depth of 15 kilometres.

The Deputy Commissioner Harnai has expressed fear that the death toll may rise further as rescue operation was underway in different parts of Harnai and Shahrag.