ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Imran Khan says the government has, so far, disbursed 81 billion rupees among 6.6 million deserving families under Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme.
Briefing the newsmen about prevailing Coronavirus situation in Islamabad on Thursday, he said that Ehsaas Emergency Cash Information Portal was launched for bringing transparency and merit into the programme.
He said the third category of the programme covered all provinces, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir.
The Prime Minister said Sindh has been given the maximum relief funds under the Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme.
He said the Covid-19 brought major devastation in counties like the United States and Italy, but the circumstances are quite different in Pakistan.
Imran Khan said the Covid-19 Tigers Force has been asked to set up its desk at each union council and district levels to identify poor and deserving families.
Imran Khan said overseas Pakistanis have a major contribution in the country's economy, and said the government is taking steps to resolve problems and issues being faced by the diaspora.
Referring to his conversation with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, he said Iran has decided to continue restrictions on gatherings, opening of schools and colleges amid coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking on the occasion, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Sania Nishtar said information can be obtained regarding number of families benefiting from the programme and total amount disbursed at district and tehsil levels through Ehsaas Emergency Cash Information Portal.
She said all Pakistanis, including members of minority communities, are eligible for this programme as it does not discriminate against any minority community.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar, he predicted that death ratio in Pakistan may increase in coming days, but the number is less as compared to other countries.
In his remarks, Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar said 3.5 million small businesses will benefit from "Chota Karobar Imdadi Relief Package."
He further said for those with five kilowatt commercial or 70 kilowatt commercial industrial connections, the government will pay their electricity bills for up to three months after they restart their business.