QUETTA: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced an Rs5 million amount for labourers, who worked tirelessly to rebuild the damaged road infrastructure in Balochistan, and asked the provincial government to add a share in it.

“They need a pat on the back. They need encouragement,” he said during a visit to the province-rich but backward province to review the work on rebuilding the roads.

National Highway Authority Chairman Khurram Agha briefed the premier on the restoration of the railway infrastructure, which was damaged in flash floods, on Kacchi district’s Pinjrah Pull.

“You have taken a difficult task,” he said.

The premier advised the NHA chairman to “immediately repair” the “dangerous tracks” in the province. To this, the official added that it would be done by today (Sunday) as a 22-wheeler vehicle was stuck due to the damaged track.

“This should be done simultaneously for traffic,” PM Shehbaz said, adding that he would again come and take an aerial visit to review it.

PM Shehbaz said the floods had caused large-scale damages across the country, affecting all the provinces. About 1300 lives were lost, livestock swept away, while the economic and infrastructure damages were enormous.

The premier said that floods had swept away Bibi Nani bridge, disrupting traffic from Quetta to Sukkur and leaving about 6000 people stranded on both ends.

He appreciated the NHA, law enforcement jawans and other authorities who restored the damaged bridge within 8 hours, adding that they did a great national service.

The prime minister announced Rs3 million for those labourers working on the restoration of Bibi Nani bridge.

NHA chairman briefed the prime minister about the restoration of Bibi Nani bridge. About 106 kms road around Bibi Nani and Pinjar Bridges were largely affected.

With input from APP