PM Imran calls for national unity to ride out coronavirus crisis

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the war against coronavirus pandemic can only be won through national unity.

The statement came during the Prime Minister’s Ehsaas Telethon that was held to raise funds for COVID-19 relief. 

PM Imran termed the Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme transparent and said that cash assistance of Rs 12,000 rupees was being distributed among 5.437 million beneficiaries across the country.

The Prime Minister said that the PTI-led federal government had announced a massive relief package in the history of Pakistan for poor families.

“The objective behind the massive relief package is to reduce miseries of the masses amid coronavirus lockdown,” PM Imran added.

He said, “Coronavirus has emerged as the major global issue and every affected country is struggling to tackle the virus,” adding that the lockdown has badly affected the world economy, resulting in growing poverty around the world, especially in developing countries like Pakistan.

“We are considering the option of smart lockdown in the country in order to provide relief to the daily wagers and the poorer section of the society,” he maintained.

In this regard, he further said that the imposition of ‘balanced and smart lockdown’ would be an effective and viable option under the prevailing coronavirus situation in the country.

“Indefinite lockdown is not an option and any decision related to smart lockdown should be for all Pakistanis,” he added.

Citing the examples of India and Singapore, PM Imran said that the lockdown has adversely affected the poor people and the economy. “The United States is also thinking to impose smart lockdown despite deaths of over 40,000 people,” he said.

PM Imran also expressed confidence that the government would take further decisions regarding the issue faced by poor people.

He said that the government had prepared a 20-point agenda for the holy month of Ramazan in consultation with religious scholars and Ulema.  PM Imran, however, warned that the government would take stern actions if anyone resorts to violating the decided measures. 

The premier also warned that the next three to four weeks can be critical for Pakistan in terms of coronavirus infections and deaths. 

He also urged the people of Pakistan to take precautionary measures and practice social distancing to prevent the coronavirus. He also urged the people to pray at homes during Ramazan.