Government to Gradually Ease Lockdown to Address Economic Situation and Common Man’s Problems
Prime Minister Imran Khan announced on Monday that the federal government has decided to gradually reduce the lockdown in the coming days, taking into account the country’s economic situation and the common man’s problems. This decision aims to strike a balance between controlling the spread of the coronavirus and mitigating its impact on the economy and the general public.
The Prime Minister spoke to members of the national and provincial assemblies through a video link, emphasizing the importance of their role in helping people during this challenging time. He encouraged them to not only provide support to those in need but also to raise awareness among the masses about the measures that can be taken to effectively stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Each Sector
Extensive SOPs have been created for each sector, based on security measures, and officials are playing an active role in their implementation. The Prime Minister highlighted the efforts of MNAs and MPAs stationed in Commissioners’ offices and other locations, who are working tirelessly to ensure the smooth execution of these SOPs.
The government has decided to progressively reduce the lockdown over the next few days, considering the local realities, especially the country’s economic situation and the common man’s problems. This decision is expected to provide relief to the people and help revive the economy, which has been severely impacted by the pandemic.
Macroeconomic Package and Support for Affected Families
The government has announced a macroeconomic package of 1.25 trillion rupees to support the economy and provide relief to affected families. The Prime Minister stated that the process of raising 12,000 to 12.5 million families in Pakistan has been secured on the basis of transparency and merit. Additionally, a special workers’ and workers’ emergency assistance program has been launched to provide support to those who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic.
The Prime Minister instructed all elected government officials to ensure that all beneficiaries in their constituency can easily access the state aid package. He also encouraged people from all walks of life to come forward and help those in need, which has been a very encouraging response so far.
Corona Relief Tiger Force
The Prime Minister announced that Terms of Reference (TORs) have been prepared to deploy the Corona Relief Tiger Force, which consists of one million volunteers. The Tiger Force will not only help the district administration to ease the burden on the population but will also initiate important activities such as assisting with security measures in public places and informing supply chain management.
The volunteers will register all those who have lost their jobs due to the suspension of their respective union councils. They will also follow the Ehsaa Emergency Cash program and provide feedback to the federal government. The Prime Minister emphasized that the volunteers should not take action against anyone but inform the administration, who will then take necessary actions.
Pilot Project in Sialkot
A pilot project has already been started in Sialkot, on the basis of which the Tiger Force can now be fully utilized. According to the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant, Dr. Zafar Mirza, about 17,000 volunteers from the medical community have come forward to help the government implement standard procedures (SOPs). Doctors will also volunteer to take up telecare initiatives, advising patients by phone.
Coronavirus Situation and Prevention
Planning Minister Asad Umar briefed the meeting on the situation and prevention of coronavirus. He feared that about 18 million people could lose their jobs in the country due to the spread of the pandemic. The head of the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) on Covid-19, Umar, discovered that an average of 24 people had died of Covid-19 every day in the country. If the situation continues, there could be 720 deaths each month.
According to estimates from the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), between 20 and 70 million people in the country could fall below the poverty line. The government is taking all necessary measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and mitigate its impact on the economy and the general public.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the government’s plan to ease the lockdown? The government plans to gradually reduce the lockdown in the coming days, taking into account the country’s economic situation and the common man’s problems.
- What is the Corona Relief Tiger Force? The Corona Relief Tiger Force is a group of one million volunteers who will help the district administration to ease the burden on the population and initiate important activities such as assisting with security measures in public places and informing supply chain management.
- How can people access the state aid package? All beneficiaries in their constituency can easily access the state aid package through their elected government officials.
- What is the estimated number of job losses due to the pandemic? About 18 million people could lose their jobs in the country due to the spread of the pandemic.
