Daily Times

The federal cabinet on Wednesday endorsed the relief package announced by Prime Minister Imran Khan a day earlier to facilitate different sectors facing economic slowdown unleashed by coronavirus outbreak.

“The cabinet appreciated the public-friendly initiative of the PM and stressed swift implementation of the package announced by him, by engaging all provinces,” Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting (SAPM) Dr Firdious Ashiq Awan said while briefing media on cabinet decisions. She said the prime minister and his team are keeping a vigilant eye on the situation evolving at global, regional and national levels after the outbreak of coronavirus. The government is taking timely measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, she added.

The special assistant said that keeping in view the impending miseries of poor people in wake of partial lock-down and economic recession, the prime minister has announced the relief package. Adviser to the PM on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh will soon elaborate the action plan for implementation of the relief package, defining the role of provinces and strategy to reach out the poor across the country, she said.

She said the prime minister also apprised the cabinet of his interaction with global leaders and discussed measures required to curtail further spread of the deadly virus.

Dr Firdous said Leader of Opposition in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif should bring back his foreign assets to help Pakistan tackle the coronavirus. “Shehbaz should bring back his foreign assets to the country as it will help us in tackling coronavirus,” she said, adding that this is a golden opportunity for the PML-N stalwart.

Slamming Shehbaz for a speech he had given against the government earlier, she said, “He delivered a speech in which he a gave a delusional roadmap and also criticised the government for its shortcomings in the battle against the coronavirus. I want him to know that 10 years is an ideal amount of time for any chief minister for improving and introducing new technology to the health sector,” she said, lamenting that Shehbaz had not done enough. “This isn’t the time for doing politics and we need to be focused so that we can spread awareness among the masses regarding coronavirus and curb its spread,” she urged.

“I got to know that Shehbaz Sharif and Bilawal Bhutto walked out of the parliamentary leaders meeting,” she said, adding, “I urge them that this is not the time to think selfishly and that they should help the government in tackling the current challenges.” “The opposition may criticise the government but it should also propose measures to combat the pandemic,” she added.

Dr Firdous said Prime Minister Imran Khan’s announcement of comprehensive national strategy to fight challenges associated with the coronavirus is manifestation of his feelings for the nation, especially the poor segments of the society. In the current economic situation, it is the best possible relief package to cope the upcoming challenges, she added.