- NEXT FOUR WEEKS CRITICAL IN TERMS OF INFECTIONS AND DEATHS: PM
- Discusses Punjab situation with Buzdar
ISLAMABAD, April 23: Prime Minister Imran Khan Thursday warned that the next three to four weeks can be critical for Pakistan in terms of coronavirus infections and deaths.
The Prime Minister said this while speaking at the largest Ehsaas Telethon being simultaneously telecast by the PTV and private TV channels for raising funds to fight COVID-19.
He said that imposition of ‘balanced and smart lockdown’ on the pattern of western countries will be an effective and viable option under prevailing situation in the country. He said the government is mulling the option of imposing smart lockdown in the country to wisely provide relief to labour class, daily wagers and lower-middle strata of society.
He made it clear that an “indefinite lockdown” is not an option and any decision regarding a smart lockdown should be for “all Pakistanis and not just the elite”.
Khan said that lockdown in India and Singapore badly affected the poor people, and now countries like the United States, are also thinking to impose ‘smart lockdown’ despite deaths of over 40,000 citizens.
The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the government will take further decisions in consultations with all stakeholders to resolve issues being faced by the people living below the poverty line. He said that war against coronavirus pandemic can only be won through national unity and coordinated efforts of all stakeholders.
He said the PTI government announced massive historic relief package for poor families with an objective to reduce miseries of the masses amid a lockdown imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Terming the Ehsaas Cash Emergency Programme as transparent and merit-based, the Prime Minister said that cash assistance worth Rs12,000 is being distributed among 5.437 million beneficiaries across the country.
He said the government has allocated Rs144 billion for poor segments of society under Ehsaas Cash Emergency Programme.
Imran Khan said entire world is struggling against coronavirus which has emerged as the major global issue. He said the lockdown adversely affected the world economy, resulting in growing poverty across the globe, especially in developing countries like Pakistan.
He said the government prepared a comprehensive roadmap for holy month of Ramadan by taking all religious scholars and Ulema on board. He, however, warned that the government will come into action, if any one resorts to violate the 20-point standard operating procedures to prevent spread of the virus during Ramadan.
Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar called on Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday and discussed the coronavirus situation in the province.
They also discussed the measures being taken to contain the pandemic, operations of the reopened industries and the precautions being taken there.
They also discussed different steps to control hording and for public facilitation during the Holy month of Ramadan.
Meanwhile, Members of the National Assembly Raja Riaz Ahmed and Faizullah Kamoka also called on the Prime Minister and discussed the matters of mutual interest. -TLTP
