ISLAMABAD: Federal Information Minister Senator Shibli Faraz on Tuesday said that the federal cabinet has approved to launch phase-II of Ehsas Cash Programme to lessen sufferings of weaker segments of the society.
While addressing press conformance after the cabinet meeting held in Islamabad with Prime Minister Imran Khan in the chair, he said Ehsas Emergency Cash Programme was appreciated internationally as 150 billion rupees were distributed among poor people in a transparent manner.
The minister said the cabinet also appreciated the Finance Advisor and his team for presenting a tax-free budget, despite the difficult situation in the wake of COVID-19 epidemic.
He said Prime Minister Imran Khan announced to celebrate Eid-ul-Adha at his residence and the PM also asked the people to celebrate the occasion while staying inside their abodes, instead of mixing with others in a bid to limit the spread of the COVID-19.
Regarding dealing with the challenge of COVID-19 pandemic, Faraz said the government has formulated strict rules and regulations to avoid the spread of COVID-19 and district administration has been directed to ensure implementation of these protective steps on the eve of upcoming Eid-ul-Adha.
Prime Minister Imran Khan’s strategy to deal with the challenge of the spread of virus due to which Pakistan remains least affected by the COVID-19 as compared to other countries of the countries, Shibli Faraz added.
The minister further said Pakistan adopted a strategy to deal with the COVID-19 in view of ground realities. He said the government is taking steps to secure air travel as well as strengthen the engineering side of the Pakistan International Airlines.
Shibli Faraz informed 28 pilots of PIA having faked and dubious licenses have been dismissed from their service, adding that severe action has been started against officials of PIA and Civil Aviation Authority, responsible for issuing fake licenses, he added.
The Minister said that the cabinet was also briefed about the progress on the Sugar Inquiry report. It was told that the sugar reforms committee has been constituted with the objective to ensure the provision of sugar at affordable prices to the people.