Staff Reporter
Islamabad
Prime Minister Imran Khan informed members of the national and provincial assemblies on Monday that the government has decided that lockdown wouldgradually be eased in the coming days keeping in view the ground realities, especially the economic situation of the country and the problems of the common man.
Subsequently, the premier directed the MNAs and MPAs to not only play their full role in providing relief to the people in this hour of need but also encourage the people to take precautionary measures so that the spread of the coronavirus could effectively be stopped.
Addressing the MNAs and MPAs, who were stationed at commissioners’ offices and other locations, the premier told the legislatures that comprehensive SOPs based on security measures have been prepared for each sector and public representatives should play an active role in implementing them.
“Keeping in view the ground realities, especially the economic situation of the country and the problems of the common man, the government has decided that the lockdown would be gradually eased in the coming days,” a statement issued by the PM office quoted Imran as saying in his address to the legislatures. The Prime Minister said that the government was trying its best to provide all possible relief to the people in view of the coronavirus situation, adding that despite the difficult circumstances, the government announced a total economic package of Rs1.25 trillion.
The prime minister said that it was very encouraging that people from all walks of life across the country came forward to assist in the efforts and provide relief to the people in the difficult situation created by the pandemic.
The premier added that TORs have been prepared for the use of Corona Relief Tiger Force, comprising one million volunteers. He said that the Tiger Force will not only help the district administrations in providing relief to the people but it would also carry out important activities such as assisting in the implementation of security measures in public places and keeping the management informed about the stock situation of essential items at utility stores. The Prime Minister said that a pilot project has already been launched in Sialkot in this regard on the basis of which Tiger Force can now fully be utilized.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Corona Relief Tiger Force was made operational on Monday after the premier addressed the volunteers and said the force will assist authorities in tackling the coronavirus outbreak. “We need to ease the lockdown so that people can earn and get jobs,” said the premier while addressing members of the Corona Relief Tiger Force.
He added that the government needs to be careful, as all efforts will be in vain if the people of the country do not take precautionary measures. He said the force will help those who are in need as the “administration alone can not do everything”. “This volunteer force has been formed to meet the challenges put in place by the coronavirus pandemic. The entire world is being forced to take steps that have not been taken during the past 100 years.”
He further outlined the role of the Tiger Force and said they need to strike a balance between saving people from the virus and saving them from hunger.
“Volunteers will register those who have lost their job due to the coronavirus pandemic in their respective union councils.” “Everyone cannot register themselves, and the force will help with that,” added the premier. He further asked the volunteers to keep an eye out for hoarding and inform the district administration if the witness such practices.
