The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources has informed the Prime Minister that the federal government is planning four schemes for providing gas to the people of Jafferabad, Jhal Magsi and Naseerabad. Sources said that Prime Minister was informed by Petroleum Ministry that Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) was working on the four schemes, which would be completed at the earliest.
The caretaker Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso on Wednesday presided over a high level meeting to review the progress on development projects with respect to provision of gas and electricity to the people of Balochistan and assessment of recent earthquake and recruitment in federal government against the quota of Balochistan.
The meeting was attended by Dr Musadiq Malik, Federal Minister for Water and Power, Chairman WAPDA, Raghib Abbas Shah, Acting Chairman ERRA, Major General M Azeem Asif, Chairman NDMA, Major General M. Saeed Ali, senior officials of the Balochistan government, representatives of the planning division and senior officials of the Prime Minister's Secretariat.
Chairman WAPDA Raghib Abbas Shah briefed the meeting about the progress made so far on construction of Kacchi canal. He informed that funds were now available and work was being carried out in full swing because of enhanced working hours. He further said that the focus was on strengthening of structures in the canal so that it could withstand hill torrents which had caused havocs during recent floods.
The Chairman also informed the meeting that Ministry of Water and Power was planning to construct a grid station affected by floods at Sobatpoor. This, he said, will help in improving the electricity distribution in the province. He said that people of Jafferabad, Jhal Magsi and Naseerabad areas were being given priority in provision of electricity connections.
The Prime Minister was informed that total population of Sub Division Mashkhel is 50,000. The earthquake affected area range between 20-25 kms. 85-90 percent mud structures were weakened by unusual earthquake. The structural damages (all type) can range from 2000-5000. The Prime Minister assigned ERRA to undertake reconstruction and rehabilitation activities in the affected areas for post disaster recovery in consultation with provincial government.
Deputy Chairman Earthquake Relief and Rehabilitation Authority Major General M. Azeem Asif gave a comprehensive briefing to the Prime Minister, saying that Mashkhel is a remote area bordering Iran which was recently struck by an earthquake leading to 13 deaths and damage to property. The Army immediately started rescue and relief operation and the first rescue team reached Mashkhel within three hours.
The Prime Minister was informed that since the earthquake struck during day time, the loss was minimal. Informing about the damage caused in the area by 7.8 magnitude earthquake, the Deputy Chairman stated that 85 percent of the houses, 90 percent of commercial property and 70 percent of public property has been damaged in Mashkhel. Recounting the challenges faced by the rescue teams, the Deputy Chairman said that dust storms, inaccessibility because of lack of road links and coverage of large area by Hamun-e-Mashkhel Lake posed difficulties in the rehabilitation and reconstruction work in the area.
The meeting was also told that a high level delegation comprising representatives of ERRA, NDMA and senior officials of the Balochistan government visited Mashkhel to assess damage and chalk out a plan to begin rehabilitation in the area. The Prime Minister directed that tents should be provided to the people of Mashkhel for temporary shelter. The Prime Minister also approved the proposal to provide cash grant to the 2500/3000 affected families to construct their property on their own.
These buildings would be constructed as per specification provided by ERRA. The Prime Minister was also informed that the Establishment Division was working on a plan to fill the vacancies in the federal Government against quota of Balochistan.