KARACHI, Feb 16: Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif on Monday announced that Punjab would give 50,000 tonnes of wheat to Sindh as a gesture of goodwill, unity and love towards the people of Sindh.

Mr Sharif, who arrived here on a brief visit on Monday afternoon, made this announcement during a meeting at the Chief Minister’s House.

He said that 20,000 tonnes of wheat had been provided to Sindh to meet its immediate needs on the request of Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and 30,000 tonnes more wheat would be dispatched soon.

The Punjab government would only charge 50 per cent price while its transportation expenditures would not be charged at all, he added.He also offered his condolences to the Sindh chief minister on his sister’s demise.

Later, Mr Sharif told the media that he had arrived here with a message of goodwill for the people of Sindh. “During the time of trial and tribulation we have to assist each other because today Pakistan is facing different challenges which we ought to face jointly,” he said.

He observed that the country was passing through a difficult period that could only be steered out through an effective and positive strategy prepared with collaboration of all the four provinces and the federal government.

“No body could harm us if we work together and take care of each other in the time of sorrows and pleasures,” he added.

Senior Minister Pir Mazharul Haq expressed gratitude to the Punjab chief minister for providing 25,000 tonnes of wheat free of cost for the people of Sindh.

Earlier on their arrival at the Sindh CM’s House, Shahbaz Sharif, Punjab Food Minister Malik Nadeem Kamran, Khwaja Saad Rafique, Salim Zia, Makhdoom Shah Nawaz, Ali Haider Shah, Mohammad Ismail Rahu and others were given a warm welcome by Senior Minister Pir Mazharul Haq, Information Minister Shazia Marri, Revenue Minister Jam Saifullah Dharejo, Agriculture Minister Syed Ali Nawaz Shah, Food Minister Mir Nadir Ali Magsi, Law Minister Ayaz Soomro and Sindh PPP Secretary General Nafees Ahmad Siddiqui.