STAFF REPORTER
The government was firming up a plan to set up emergency shelter homes at public sector schools of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad to deal with the anticipated surge in number of daily wage earners due to reopening of the construction sector. “A rapid assessment process has already been initiated to identify the places for setting up the emergency ‘Panahgahs’ in view of the possible boost in construction activities in the twin cities,” Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Shelter Homes Naseem ur Rehman said during a meeting with the delegation of Saylani Welfare Trust delegation, led by its Chairman Bashir Farooq Qadri. The discussion on expansion of the shelter homes’ network was held in a backdrop of the meeting which took place between Prime Minister Imran Khan and the same delegation of Saylani Welfare Trust the other day. Following the instruction of prime minister, the participants of meeting evolved a plan to ensure uninterrupted supply of food at those makeshift facilities which were to be set up before the advent of holy month of Ramazan. The focal person informed the delegation that he was in contact with other stakeholders to ensure medical supplies for the beneficiaries of shelter homes. “Our focus is not only on provision of food and shelter to the poor people but also on their protection from imminent threat of coronavirus.” He said all-out efforts would be made to ensure health environment at those temporary facilities. Radios would be installed at the places to sensitize the beneficiaries about precautionary measures like social distancing, hand washing and mask wearing
