ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has launched the cash disbursal programme under the Ehsaas Emergency Cash for workers who are worst affected by the COVID-19 crisis and have become jobless.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), over 3.4 million applications of jobless people have so far been received through the Ehsaas Labour Portal. More than Rs 3 billion have so far been mobilized in the PM coronavirus Fund and the pledges continue to be realized.
Prime Minister Imran Khan visited an Ehsaas cash distribution center in the Pakistan Sports Complex and witnessed the first batch of job-loss affectees, who received the emergency cash assistance of Rs 12,000 each through the system.
On the occasion, PM Khan inquired from different victims about the financial impacts in the aftermath of the epidemic. A number of affectees apprised PM about their issues and expressed gratitude to the government for the financial support through the cash programme.
Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar, PM’s Special Assistant on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation Dr Sania Nishtar and other senior officials also accompanied the prime minister.
Dr Sania Nishtar briefed the prime minister about the whole process. Nishtar said the first batch of beneficiaries that the country was passing through difficult times and assured the government’s support to the vulnerable segments of society.
She also stressed upon the people to adopt precautionary measures. In the interest of transparency, details about the disbursement and withdrawal details will be made public, she added.
Earlier, the Economic Coordination Committee had approved a Rs 75 billion emergency cash support package for labourers impacted by the pandemic, under which they will be provided Rs 12,000 a month.
On May 3, the prime minister had announced that funds collected through the PM’s COVID-19 Pandemic Relief Assistance Fund 2020 will be used to help labourers whose livelihood has been affected due to the COVID-19 lockdown.
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