ISLAMABAD: Minister for Science and Technology Agha Hassan Baloch and Minister of State for Energy Muhammad Hashim Notezai have appealed the friendly countries, philanthropists, national and international organizations to join hands with the federal and provincial governments in assisting the people of flood-hit areas of Balochistan.

Addressing a new conference here in Islamabad on Monday, Hashim Natozai said due to heavy rains and floods road linkages of Balochistan have been disconnected from other parts of the country and people of the province are in dire need of food, shelter and economic assistance.

The Minister said due to heavy floods about six hundred kilometres of road network has been damaged while standing crops on 12,000 acres have been destroyed in Lasbela only.

Expressing satisfaction over federal government’s steps for helping the affected people, he said yet some extra resources are needed to meet the challenge of reconstruction and rehabilitation.

Agha Hassan also stressed that contributions from friendly countries and philanthropists are need of the hour to avert this humanitarian crisis in Balochistan which resulted in over two hundred deaths so far.