Govt stands with coronavirus victims in hour of difficulty: Shahryar

F.P. Report

PESHAWAR: Federal Minister for SAFRON and Anti Narcotics, Shahryar Afridi here Wednesday said that the Government was standing with the victims of Coronavirus in this hour of need and would continue efforts till the last patient has been treated in the country.

Addressing a press- conference here, the Minister said the Prime Minister Imran Khan has established “Corona Relief Fund and urged philanthropists and well-off people to generously donate in it besides reaching out to the vulnerable segments of the society in their respective areas for assistance.

He said it was our collective responsibility to help poor, marginalized and have notes in the wake of Coronavirus crisis.

He said people of all walk of life have shown unshakable confidence and trust in the decisions and policies of Prime Minister Imran Khan in the wake of Corona virus crisis and are following Government instructions.

He said the Prime Minister of Pakistan and Chief Minister KP have announced gigantic relief packages to help poor people, daily wagers, labourers and others vulnerable segments, who lost jobs due to lockdowns imposed to prevent spread of the deadly Coronavirus.

He said Coronavirus has been declared pandemic worldwide as this viral disease has no regards for religion, race, coloure and caste of people. He said the people of devoloped, devoloping and underdeveloped countries are all became its victims.

The minister said members of Tableegi jumaat were also affected by Coronavirus in Pakistan.

He said Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed ministers, MNAs and MPAs to reach out their constituencies for  monitoring of relief efforts and address people problems. He said Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his team were keeping eyes on the expatriate Pakistanis and would ensure their dignified repatriation. The minister said relief to poor people should be provided in such a way that their self esteem and dignity could not hurt.

He said  the entire nation was looking towards us, saying in normal days wealthy people were spending thousands of rupees on foods in hotels and restaurants and if some of these amount saved due to lockdown was spent today on poor people, it would be indeed a great service to humanity.

He said it was not a time of politicking and point scoring rather raising above party politics and served of our poor people with more generosity and dedication.

He appreciated Shahid Afridi Foundation for providing  food and ration to around 4000 poor families in Kohat and adjoining areas. The Minister said Pakistani are known worldwide for donations to poor people in times of difficulty and expressed the hope that they would demonstrate the same spirit of giving donations as demonstrated by them during 2010 floods and 2005 earthquakes.

He directed Chief Secretary KP to quickly finalize mechanism for disbursement of Rs5000 per month to each poor household under CM KP relief package.

The minister said a special package will also be announced soon for Afghan refugees in the country.

He called upon UNHCR and other donor agencies to come forward in this cause.