LARKANA: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Friday held out the assurance that his party and provincial government would not leave the people of Larkana alone in this difficult time of coronavirus outbreak and lockdown. He appealed to philanthropists to come forward as the government alone could not cater to the food and other requirements of millions of needy people.

The PPP chairman was addressing Larkana division party workers on video link.

He said he had already asked the Sindh government to ensure distribution of adequate ration among all deserving families during the lockdown.

Philanthropists urged to come forward in providing food to lockdown-hit masses

Appreciating the measures taken by the provincial government to contain Covid-19 outbreak, Mr Bhutto-Zardari said a complete lockdown was the only way to achieve desired results.

He asked the district administration to seek assistance of prominent civil society leaders and other influential figures to ensure social distancing.

MPA Faryal Talpur, Sindh Minister for Irrigation Sohail Anwar Siyal, PPP chairman’s political secretary Jamil Soomro, Larkana Mayor Khair Mohammad Shaikh, District Council chairman Khan Sangro, Commissioner Saleem Raza Khuhro, Deputy Commissioner Noman Siddiq, DIG Irfan Baloch, SSP Masood Ahmed Bangash, DHO Dr Athar Shah and officials of various departments participated in the video conference.

Officials of the district administration said that four quarantine centres had been established in Larkana where 83 suspected Covid-18 cases were kept. Seven of them had tested positive for the virus, they said, adding that over 600 people with a history of travel to Iran and some Arab countries had arrived in Larkana and their tests were conducted.

Mr Bhutto-Zardari stressed on keeping the chain of contact with local farmers intact to ensure uninterrupted food supply.

He also asked the district administration to take special care of HIV patients.

The PPP chairman asked police to be soft with the people during lockdown, saying that more powers did not using them unjustly.

Faryal Talpur called for evolving a mechanism in order to ensure that no one should remain deprived of food.

Sohail Siyal held out the assurance that the party chief’s instructions would be implemented in letter and spirit.

Jamil Soomro said the people connected with local transport were worst-hit financially due to the lockdown.

Published in Dawn, March 28th, 2020