Federal Cabinet approves Rs1200bn PM’s coronavirus relief package

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Cabinet approved Prime Minister’s Rs1200 billion financial stimulus package announced by PM Imran last week.

In this regard, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information Firdous Ashiq Awan has said that the relief package was approved to deal with the adverse impact of coronavirus on country’s economy.

Firdous Ashiq Awan said that the federal cabinet has also decided to restore food transports in all the provinces and territories keeping in view prevailing coronavirus situations.

She further said that Labour Ministry was directed to prepare a strategy of complete registration of labour class in consultation will all provinces to ensure their social, health and job security.

Commenting on the reforms, the special assistant said that PM Imran has also directed to introduce reforms in Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and Pakistan Railways and to promote e-governance.   

Firdous Awan also termed Sukuk bonds vital for the promotion of Islamic Banking and said that the government has decided to issue the bonds for three years duration. 

She also announced that the National Coordination Committee’s meeting will be held in Islamabad tomorrow in order to address the flour crisis in the country.

Firdous Ashiq Awan further informed the media that Special Assistant on Poverty Alleviation Dr. Sania Nishtar briefed the federal cabinet about mechanism of cash transfer worth 150 billion rupees to 12 million poor families across Pakistan under Government’s Ehsaas Programme.

Dr. Zafar Mirza also informed the Cabinet about the government’s measures to contain coronavirus and decisions taken by the National Coordination Committee on Coronavirus.

Firdous Ashiq Awan also said that during the meeting the participants discussed that those who tested positive for the coronavirus should not be treated as criminals.

Referring to the opposition, Firdous Awan said that Shehbaz Sharif is worried “because he has nothing to do” and sits in front of the computer with a mask and attempts to make the coronavirus “a source of oxygen”.

She further said that Shehbaz Sharif should quarantine his coronavirus-infected thinking, adding that PTI-led government had taken him onboard regarding coronavirus but all he did was criticism.

She said that Prime Minister Imran Khan doesn’t believe that this is the time for politics and added that if he (Shehbaz) wants to do something, he should submit his recommendations.

She first reiterated that this is not the time for politics, adding that these problems will not be solved with just lip service.

She assured that PM Imran was holding regular meetings and has decided that the people have to be protected from coronavirus as well as from starvation.