Govt planning to disburse cash amounts to workers: Firdous

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan on Thursday said the government was devising a strategy to help the labourers, especially daily wagers, amid the crisis generated by the coronavirus pandemic.

She was addressing a press conference at the National Command and Control Centre. Special Assistant to PM on Health Dr Zafar Mirza and ISPR Director General Major General Babar Iftikhar were also present on the occasion.

Social distancing was practiced at today’s presser, as all the above said high officials were sitting at a distance from each other. Hand sanitisers were also placed in front of them during the press conference.

Firdous said the committee headed by Dr Hafeez Sheikh, the advisor on finance, was formulating a stimulus package that would be presented to Prime Minister Imran Khan for his approval.

According to Firdous, the committee working on the subject while keeping in mind three points: how the workers/ daily wagers should be helped through cash payment; steps for their healthcare in case they do not have health insurance; and the actions required for food suppliers.

She said the prime minister had directed the provinces to take strict measures against those involved in hoarding. She said the prime minister was monitoring and leading the efforts to control the coronavirus pandemic and all the provincial governments were working jointly along the Centre.

Awan said protecting the life and property of the people was a top priority and no negligence in achieving the goal would be allowed.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Zafar Mirza said there were 326 confirmed coronavirus cases in the country, adding that two deaths had been reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to the pandemic.