Staff Reporter
The management of shelter homes has identified multiple places to set up the emergency ‘Panahgahs’ in the Federal Capital, which is expected to see an influx of migrant workers due to reopening of the construction sector.
“Eight buildings belonging to the public and private sectors have been marked in capital, where at least two ‘Panahgahs’ will be established on emergency basis to facilitate proper implementation of the social distancing concept at Panahgahs,” said Prime Minister’s focal person on shelter homes Naseem ur Rehman.
Talking to media during his visit to the G-9 ‘Panah Gah’, he said the selected facilities included six government schools and two private hostels, which were located near Tarlai and Bhara Kahu shelter homes.
“The criteria for selection of places is based on easy access and not to be far from the existing ‘Panahgahs’ so that the spillover can be coordinated efficiently,” he said, pointing out strategy of government for serving poor and homeless in post-coronavirus situation.
As per new strategy, he said social distancing was being practiced at the shelter homes to ensure safety of its dwellers from the deadly virus. “As of now, a safe distance of four to six feet is maintained in the sleeping areas,” he added.
Naseem said the idea of establishing more ‘Panahgahs’ on emergency basis was meant to make sure distance among the beds of its residents, which was a vital precautionary measure to check Covid-19 spread.
The focal person said more places were being examined to set up emergency ‘Panahgahs’ in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad which were expecting rise in migrant workers from small cities and towns due to start of construction activities.