ISLAMABAD: PM Imran Khan in a televised address stated today that COVID-19 was here to stay for another year or two and it was the citizens’ collective responsibility to follow the SOPs.
He said that the figure of cases would augment but current number of infected people stood below the projected 52,000. He said that the government was working towards ameliorating its health facilities and increasing capacity: “The numbers are expected to rise and we are prepared for that. The government is working towards enhancing its health facilities and increasing capacity.”
Imran Khan, informing that out of every 100 COVID-19 cases, only three to four had to be hospitalized, drew attention to the fact that with the increasing number of cases hospitalizations would also rise. Giving example of USA where COVID-19 was claiming 2000 lives daily, PM said even they had not halted their public transport. PM said that the lockdown was being eased to enable 150 million Pakistanis, affected by it, earn a living.
In an earlier TV address he stated that due to abject poverty strategy of lockdown would not succeed here to contain Coronavirus. Comparing economic state of affairs here and in USA he pointed out that the Corona Relief Package announced by Pakistan was worth US $ 8 billion whereas, Trump had announced a US$2000 billion relief package. PM also cited the example of India that had locked the country of more than a billion people down for weeks. Later, he said, the Prime Minister of India had to apologize the nation for taking this measure.
He said that 25 percent of the Pakistan’s populace was living below the poverty level and one could not force them to stay inside their single-room houses indefinitely sans food. He noted that youth and Iman (faith) were two strengths of Pakistani populace. He announced the formation of Corona Relief Tiger Force consisting of youngsters (students, drivers, doctors, engineers etc.) that will help Army and the local administration to provide provisions in the locked down areas.
Tiger Force will also educate people about self-isolation and other aspects of the malady, for instance one does not need to go to hospice just because of cold and flue. PM also announced creation of a Corona Relief Fund and asked prosperous people in as well as out of Pakistan to donate money. He said that such donors will get relaxation in taxes and the audit of the donated money will be transparent.
Imran Khan further informed that those industrialists who do not show their workers the door will be given cheaper loans by the State Bank of Pakistan. PM stated that Ahsaas program would be extended and those who want to help others would be informed where the relief was needed.
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