Rs. 59.718 billion disbursed under Ehsaas Emergency Cash program

Islamabad, April 21, 2020 (PPI-OT): The disbursement of Rs. 12,000 cash handouts to daily wagers and labourers under Ehsaas Emergency Cash program is ongoing with special COVID-19 protective measures at campsites. Reflecting on the progress of the initiative, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Sania Nishtar said, “In 13 days, we have distributed Rs. 59.718 billion countrywide to 4.976 million deserving families as part of Ehsaas Emergency Cash. The unprecedented initiative is designed to provide cash assistance of Rs 12,000 to 12 million deserving families across the country. The government has allocated Rs. 144 billion for this purpose.”

 

For more information, contact:

Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division

Government of Pakistan

Cabinet Secretariat, 4th Floor, Evacuee Trust Complex,

F-5/1, Islamabad, Pakistan

Tel: +92-51-9210020, +92-51-9210022

Fax: +92-51-9219947

E-mail: contactus@ehsaas.gov.pk, ontactus@pass.gov.pk

Website: http://pass.gov.pk/

Prime Minister reviews coronavirus situation in country

Islamabad, April 21, 2020 (PPI-OT): Prime Minister Imran Khan has stressed upon to ensure an effective strategy and public cooperation for maintaining social distancing in the prevailing situation. He stated this while chairing a meeting in Islamabad to review the measures to contain the coronavirus and the latest situation in the country.

 

Prime Minister said public cooperation has sought in the sovereign countries through involvement of the people over the issues of national importance instead of using force. He said his government is fully cognizant of the problems being faced by the traders’ community and is making efforts to resolve their issues with the cooperation of the provincial governments. Highlighting the critical role of doctors and paramedical staff, Imran Khan said they are on the frontline in the fight against the coronavirus and government is giving top priority to meet their requirements.

 

Referring to his recent meeting with the Ulema, he said that implementation of the steps against the coronavirus is joint responsibility of all stake holders. The NDMA chairman said the coronavirus related material from the third consignment was dispatched to 408 hospitals, whereas it would be doubled with the fourth consignment.

 

For more information, contact:

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

Government of Pakistan

4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan

Tel: +92-51-9103557

Email: info@moib.gov.pk

Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

 

Confirmed coronavirus cases in Pakistan soar to 9,216

Islamabad, April 21, 2020 (PPI-OT): The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country has soared to 9,216. According to National Command and Operation Centre, 4,195 cases have so far been detected in Punjab, 2,764 in Sindh, 1,276 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 465 in Balochistan, 281 in Gilgit-Baltistan, 185 in Islamabad Capital Territory and 50 in Azad Kashmir.

 

The Center said that 2,066 patients have so far recovered while the death toll from the virus stands at 192 with 16 new deaths reported during the last twenty-four hours. 796 new cases were reported during the last 24 hours.

 

For more information, contact:

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

Government of Pakistan

4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan

Tel: +92-51-9103557

Email: info@moib.gov.pk

Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

 

IMF representative terms performance of Pakistan’s economy satisfactory

Islamabad, April 21, 2020 (PPI-OT): International Monetary Fund (IMF) has pledged to continue its support to Pakistan to face the socio-economic challenges posed by COVID-19. Resident Representative of International Monetary Funds in Pakistan, Maria Teresa Daban said this while speaking at an online policy dialogue organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute in Islamabad.

 

She termed pre-Covid-19 performance of Pakistan’s economy was quite satisfactory. Maria Teresa also appreciated the government’s bold measures against coronavirus including cash transfers to most vulnerable families, lowering down policy rate, eliminating import duties on several items. Commenting on opening up of construction sector, she said IMF supported opening of labour sector. She said IMF is also working to make Pakistan as competitive and an attractive destination for investment.

 

For more information, contact:

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

Government of Pakistan

4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan

Tel: +92-51-9103557

Email: info@moib.gov.pk

Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

Security forces kill five terrorists in Miranshah

Islamabad, April 20, 2020 (PPI-OT): Terrorist carried out fire raid on security forces’ check-post, in Miranshah, North Waziristan. According to ISPR, troops effectively engaged them and killed five terrorists. In exchange of fire, one soldier Havaldar Akbar Hussain Khan embraced shahadat while three soldiers got injured.

 

Troops cordoned the area and carried out search operation.

 

For more information, contact:

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

Government of Pakistan

4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan

Tel: +92-51-9103557

Email: info@moib.gov.pk

Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

Confirmed coronavirus cases in Pakistan soar to 8418

Islamabad, April 20, 2020 (PPI-OT): The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country has soared to 8418. According to National Command and Operation Centre, 3721 cases have so far been detected in Punjab, 2537 in Sindh, 1235 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 432 in Balochistan, 263 in Gilgit-Baltistan, 181 in Islamabad Capital Territory and 49 in Azad Kashmir.

 

The Center said that 1970 patients have so far recovered while the death toll from the virus stands at 176 with 17 new deaths reported during the last twenty-four hours. 425 new cases were reported during the last 24 hours. Local transmission of coronavirus is 64% while from foreign travel it is 36%. There are 590 hospitals with COVID facilities with 2,216 patients admitted across the country.

 

For more information, contact:

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

Government of Pakistan

4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan

Tel: +92-51-9103557

Email: info@moib.gov.pk

Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

Sikh Community lauds Pakistan’s efforts for immediate repair of damaged domes

Islamabad, April 20, 2020 (PPI-OT): The Sikh community in the country and all over the world has greatly appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for immediate repair of the damaged domes of Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib. In a press release, the Foreign Office spokesperson said the domes were damaged on the night of 17 April due to strong winds caused by severe storm. The spokesperson said the repair work was completed within 24 hours of damage.

 

For more information, contact:

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

Government of Pakistan

4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan

Tel: +92-51-9103557

Email: info@moib.gov.pk

Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk