Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Dr Sania Nishtar has said that an SMS service 8171 has been launched to enable the deserving families to benefit from Ehsaas Emergency Cash Program.
Speaking in a program of Radio Pakistan on Wednesday, she said this 150 billion rupees program is he country’s biggest social protection program launched for the poor families facing financial problems due to coronavirus.
She said under this program, a cash grant of twelve thousand rupees will be given to the deserving families through a transparent mechanism.
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The Special Assistant said the deserving families desiring to benefit from the program should send their national identity cards on the SMS code 8171, which is activated from Wednesday evening.
Sania Nishtar said that Ehsaas Ration Platform has also been launched to connect people wanting to donate food ration to those in need. She said thirty-five thousand deserving families and over six hundred donors have so far got themselves registered on the online platform.
The Special Assistant clarified that the deserving families can simultaneously benefit from both these programs.
Sania Nishtar said it is the utmost effort of the federal government to ensure sufficient supplies of essential commodities to the masses with the coordination of provincial governments.
Coronavirus situation in Pakistan
Cases of COVID-19 in Pakistan has surged to 2007 whereas the mortality rate has risen to 26 with 12 patients in critical condition. 845 infected people are present in Punjab province.
Districts: Lahore 178, Kasur 1, Nankana 13, RWP 51, Jhelum 28, Attock 1, Gujranwala 13, Gujrat 90, MBD 4, Hafizabad 5, Narowal 2, Sialkot 1, Sargodha 10, Mianwali 3, Khushab 1, Multan 2, Vehari 2, FSD 9, RYK 3, Bahawalnagar 3, Bahawalpur 1, Lodhran 2, Layyah 1 & DGK has 5 cases.
— Usman Buzdar (@UsmanAKBuzdar) April 1, 2020
In the wake of social distancing, the government has imposed a complete lockdown and its the 10th day that people are staying in their homes to keep themselves safe from the deadly virus. The lockdown in Pakistan has been extended to 14th of April.
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PM Imran Khan has summoned NCC meeting with the chief ministers from all the provinces to discuss the panic caused by the pandemic throughout the country.