ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation Sania Nishtar on Tuesday said the federal and provincial governments as well as Pakistan Army were working in close cohesion to fight the coronavirus.

Sania Nishtar termed the decision of calling in the Army in support of the civil administration as an important one saying it would help implement government’s advisories regarding the coronavirus, she said this while talking to Radio Pakistan.

She said Prime Minister Imran Khan would announce a comprehensive economic package on Tuesday (today) to protect the people, industry and the country’s economy from the negative impact of coronavirus.

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Sania said the package envisaged Ehsaas emergency cash program under which a system of SMS had been set up to reach out to the poor people and help them out at this difficult time.

She said the economic package also included support for the exporters, small and medium enterprises, daily wagers and farmers. “This also comprises a package for the Utility Stores Corporation to ensure supplies of essential commodities to the people at reduced rates,” she said.

The special assistant urged the people to adopt the precautionary measures to avoid the spread of the pandemic.

PM directs to ensure uninterrupted supply of essential food commodities, medicines

Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed the authorities concerned to ensure uninterrupted availability and supply of essential food commodities and medicines to the people in the present situation.

He said this while chairing a high-level meeting in Islamabad on Monday about possible effects of coronavirus on the country’s economy and the steps to providing relief to the people.

The prime minister directed to ensure all possible steps at administrative level so that no one could take advantage of the situation by starting hoarding and profiteering.

Imran Khan said in the present situation the government would go to any extent to protect the vulnerable sections of the society.

The meeting reviewed the overall economic situation of the country following the outbreak of coronavirus and its impacts on economy and deliberated upon various proposals.