ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan on Wednesday said protective kits would be provided to the journalists covering vulnerable areas including quarantine centers.

“The journalists are playing a vanguard role in the fight against coronavirus and steps are being taken to ensure their safety and health,” she said during a video conference with the provincial information ministers.

The special assistant said that COVID-19 Care for Media app was also being launched to help those journalists affected by the virus.

She said that newspapers hawkers would also be registered in Ehsaas Emergency Cash program as their sales had also been affected due to the outbreak of coronavirus.

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The special assistant urged the provincial governments to clear on war footing the pending payments of the media.

Firdous Ashiq Awan said responsibility rested with the media to avoid creating panic on the current situation. She stressed that success stories of those recovering from the pandemic should also be given coverage to offset the environment of fear and panic.

“This virus can be defeated through unity and collective efforts,” she said.

The total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Pakistan has soared to 2039.   

These include 708 in Punjab, 676 in Sindh, 253 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 158 in Balochistan, 184 in Gilgit-Baltistan, 54 in Islamabad and six in Azad Kashmir.

Eighty-two people have so far recovered from the disease whilst the number of deaths from the virus stands at twenty six.