Telecom giant Jazz has pledged Rs 1.2 billion to fight against COVID-19 on Wednesday. The initiatives include COVID-19 tests, ventilators, and food rations to be given to the impoverished class.
As per statement issued by the company on Wednesday, Jazz said that it will provide support to leading welfare organizations across Pakistan.
The initiatives include COVID-19 tests, ventilators, and food rations to be given to the impoverished class. The relief response also facilitates Jazz customers to direct their charitable donations via SMS and JazzCash. The company’s employees will also be voluntarily contributing up to 3-days salary to the nationwide relief effort.
The company further said that a significant part of the announced support will be for continuing zero-rated and subsidized services for access to emergency care, medical helplines, and critical health applications, which have been either marked-down or made free for customers under this coronavirus relief effort.
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Furthermore, the telecom service provider will also provide subsidized voice and data bundles and mobile payments.
Similalry, a few days ago, Hussain Dawood, on behalf of Engro Corporation and Dawood Hercules Group, pledged Rs 1bn to reduce the spread and impact of the COVID-19 crisis. He welcomed the efforts of the government and other organizations that have stepped up to this challenge.
PM Imran Khan established Coronavirus Fund
Prime minister Imran Khan last week stated that State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) had decided to provide cheap loans to the industries that would not be laying off their employees.
In a televised address to nation, the prime minister said that fund’s account would be open on Tuesday in a National Bank of Pakistan branch and the depositors would not be asked any questions.
Previously, Prime Minister Imran Khan had also announced allocation of Rupees 200 billion for labor class. This funding has been allotted to the laborers to help them in the wake of this crisis as they won’t be able to earn during the lock down.
Imran Khan apprised the public of his concerns regarding the possibility of a curfew. He said that European countries can afford a curfew but a third world country like Pakistan where the poor class comprises of daily wagers cannot survive a nation-wide lock down. He further added that it is indeed worrisome how these daily wagers will be able to get food when they are prevented from earning.