Daily Times

After the formal launch of the SMS service under the Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme for the deserving people to offset economic impact of the lockdown, Karachiites have shown mixed reaction over the initiative.

According to details, a sum of Rs 12,000 will be transferred in the accounts of deserving people through this service, and 12 million Pakistani families will be benefited from this programme. People are sending their CNIC number to 8171 and they are being informed about their eligibility for emergency cash.

A widow, Mehrunisa, appreciate the government for launching such a big social protection programme for the poor families facing financial problems due to coronavirus lockdown. “I will be glad if I get some money,” she added.

A rickshaw driver happily told that he had received an SMS that he had been registered for the programme, “Let’s see when I get money, as I haven’t earned any rupee for 11 days and am facing a very difficult situation,” he added.

On social media, a user namely Azeem endorses the PM’s initiative for deserving families and hopes that the disbursement of sum commences soon.

On the other hand, some people have shown their concern over the programme. Many people have been receiving messages to contact the district office, while some are getting the message that the Registration Centre hasn’t started in their district, and that they should wait for the establishment of the Registration Centre.

Taking to Twitter, Ali Taj said that to verify that, he sent an SMS on 8171 and he was told that he had been registered for the Ehsaas programme. “I am not a deserving person, and am even helping the needy, but still I was registered.” He showed his concern that selfish people may have benefit from this programme like the BISP, so the government must review its working.

“Prime Minister Imran Khan has taken a great initiative to benefit the affected people,” said Sadam Kunbher, a social activist.

Kunbher added that the Sindh government is just making excuses; they haven’t delivered any bag on ground yet.

Special Assistant to PM Sania Nishtar said the deserving families will be able to draw the cash grant from next Wednesday, adding that transparency has been ensured in the programme by using a technology-based system. Karachiites expressed hope for proper mechanism to ensure smooth transfer of financial relief to the poor and the needy.