Cash programme to help mitigate sufferings of poor, deserving: Imran

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said the distribution of Rs12,000 (Dhs267) per household as financial assistance among the 12 million deserving families started on Thursday under the unprecedented “Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme” would help mitigate the sufferings of poor masses affected by the lockdown due to COVID-19.

A woman collects cash of financial assistance through a mobile wallet under the governmental Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme in Islamabad. AFP

"The whole country has been affected by the ongoing lockdown, but as the level of poverty in Balochistan is much higher than other parts of the country, I have come here today to discuss with the provincial government as to how we can help the poor people in the province," he said while talking to newsmen in Quetta during his long-day visit to Balochistan.

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Balochistan Governor Justice (retd) Amanullah Khan and Chief Minister Jam Kamal were also present on the occasion.

The prime minister said 16,000 disbursement points had been opened across the country for distribution of Rs12,000 per family as financial assistance under the historic Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme, which was aimed at reaching out to the poor and deserving in the critical time.

Under the Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme, a total of Rs144 billion would be distributed among the 12 million poor and deserving families across the country.

A woman goes under a thumb biometric before collecting cash of financial assistance. AFP

Imran said since the labour class, including daily-wagers, vendors and small shopkeepers, were badly affected by the lockdown, the government would review the situation on April 14 and could allow such small businesses to open in consultation with the provincial governments.

The prime minister said as the outbreak of COVID-19 was a national issue, it could only be fought and won through a coordinated effort of the federal and provincial governments, and by the whole nation in unison.

He said COVID-19 was such a big challenge that the rich nations, including the Westerns countries despite having resources were facing difficulties in tacking the situation.

The prime minister referred to the success of China in the fight against coronavirus, which, he said, won the war through unity and strategy. "We too have to help one another in this fight and win it as a nation," he maintained.

NNI News Service