Ration distribution: Process should not be used for publicity: minister

Sindh Minister for Information, Local Government, Housing & Town Planning, Religious Affairs, and Forest & Wildlife Syed Nasir Hussain Shah on Sunday said that focus of the Sindh government was to slow down the spread of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) to save lives. Provincial Minister for Information said that the Sindh government preparing health system and putting all the necessary measures in place to protect the lives of the people.

Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said that practicing good hygiene, and keeping a healthy physical distance between individuals are our most powerful weapon in fighting Coronavirus and saving people lives.

Syed Nasir Hussain Shah thanked all those members of the public who were adhering to social distancing measures, however, he also expressed his disappointment at those members of the public who were disregarding social distancing measures and, by doing so, putting the lives of older and vulnerable people of the province at risk.

Provincial Minister for Information said that if people wanted to slow down the spread of the coronavirus then everyone must implement appropriate social distancing in accordance with the government's announced health advisory.

"Self-isolation is the key to contain the spread of Coronavirus", the Minister said. The Minister said that this was an unprecedented time during which all of us had to take utmost care to keep everyone safe from getting affected from the Coronavirus. "Let's all do our bit to unite in this fight against Coronavirus", he added.

About the distribution of the ration, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said that in accordance with the instructions of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chief Minister Sindh Syied Murad Ali Shah had already issued directives for all the concerned to make sure that the process of distribution should not be used for any sort of publicity.

Provincial Minister for Information said that the Chief Minister had directed all the Deputy Commissioners to ensure that the dignity of the people should not be hurt at all while providing them with ration.

He said that few of the members of the provincial assembly were also distributing ration bags in their respective constituencies. Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said that as per directives of the Chief Minister all the ration bags were being handed over to the needy people early in the morning.

Syed Nasir Hussain Shah further said that the government understood that all of this rapid change was creating anxiety and uncertainty among the people, especially when it meant changing how we lived. But, he said that the government had no other choice left in this fight against pandemic. Provincial Minister for Information requested people to be strong, be kind and cooperate with government against its efforts in elimination of Covid 19.

Meanwhile, Sindh Minister for Information Syed Nasir Hussain Shah on Sunday expressed his heartfelt condolence over the demise of senior journalist Ahfazur Rahman and termed it as a great loss to journalism. In his condolence message Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said that late Ahfazur Rahman was truly a great journalist and his struggle for freedom of the press would always be remembered.

Provincial Minister for Information said that his proverbial honesty and utter sincerity to the cause of the freedom of the press was exemplary. The Minister also prayed to Allah Almighty to rest the departed soul in peace and grant courage to the bereaved family to bear the loss.-PR