Daily Times

Prime Minister Imran Khan’s initiatives to deal with Covid-19 are being appreciated across the globe. Even countries like US with much better healthcare system are seeking guidance from Pakistan for providing essential goods to the poor amid lockdown due to the pandemic. One of the brilliant initiatives launched by the current government to tackle the economic impact of the crisis is the coronavirus relief fund. Due to the compassion of Imran Khan and trust of the people, donations are continuously pouring in through telethons arranged by the prime minister for the noble cause of providing assistance to the needy and the poor across country.

Prime Minister Imran Khan had last month launched the relief fund to fight coronavirus and had urged everyone to donate generously to the initiative. Labelling it an unprecedented initiative and putting stock in people’s charitable spirits, the prime minister had said that Pakistanis donate like no other nation in the world, while recalling earthquakes and floods which had wreaked much damage in the country but put no dent in people’s willingness to help.

The prime minister had also appeared on the Ehsaas Telethon last month to help collect funds for the coronavirus affectees, during which Rs 550 million were immediately collected. Senator Faisal Javed Khan announced on Friday that donations in the fund have crossed Rs 3 billion mark. “PM Relief Fund touches the 3 Billion Mark Masha’ALLAH. So far Rs 3,022 million have been deposited in PM’s COVID19 Relief Fund.Hats off to your Generosity & Jazba for contributing towards this grt cause.Together we can & Together we must #KeepContributing#PakistanTheMostGenerous,” he posted on his Twitter handle.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has also appealed to the overseas Pakistanis to donate generously to the PM Relief Fund for Covid-19 to cope with the crisis. Giving an example of the United States, he said the US has a population of 300 million people and has allocated $2.2 trillion, while Germany and France, having a population of less than Pakistan, have earmarked $1 trillion each to provide relief to their people. Pakistan can only manage $8 billion for the relief fund and in such a situation, we want overseas Pakistanis to donate generously, he had said.

The prime minister very timely launched an appeal to the international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the international financial institutions to respond positively to the dilemma confronting the developing counties in the face of Covid-19 outbreak. Reacting on his appeal, the IMF has agreed to give Pakistan a huge relief in the shape of $1.4 billion for coronavirus crisis management besides re-scheduling of the loans Pakistan had earlier acquired from the international lender.

The government has announced to contribute Rs 4 for every rupee donated to the Coronavirus Relief Fund. Prime Minister Imran Khan has also assured the contributors that their donations will be transparently disbursed amongst the deserving families affected by coronavirus breakout, and that he is personally monitoring the relief fund and its details will be shared with the public after audit.

In a pleasant surprise, Abdul Sattar Edhi’s son Faisal Edhi, whose organization itself runs on charity, has also donated a huge amount of Rs 10 million for the fund. Besides local philanthropists and celebrities, a number of international personalities have also come forward to support prime minister Imran Khan for the noble cause, which is a proof of the confidence people have in the leadership of Imran Khan.

West Indies cricketing legend Michael Holding made an appeal for donations to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s coronavirus relief fund. “I don’t think I need to remind you that the world is fighting this Covid-19 pandemic at the moment,” the cricketer-turned-commentator said in a Twitter video. He said Prime Minister Imran Khan is trying to put together a fund to help Pakistan fight this disease and everyone should help during the time of crisis. “We’re all in this together.”

Renowned cricketer Kevin Pietersen from England also released his video message on Twitter and appealed to the Pakistani diaspora in the UK to donate wholeheartedly in the fund and help the country rise above the dark times of coronavirus pandemic. “PM @ImranKhanPTI leading from the front…help him out by donating towards PM’s Covid Relief Fund at http://covid.ophrd.gov.pk. I know how generous OVERSEAS Pakistanis can be, help your country when it’s most needed. #Pakistanis4Pakistanis,” he tweeted.

International cricketer Darren Sammy also tweeted for the same cause. “PM @ImranKhanPTI leading from the front…help him out by donating towards PM’s Covid Relief Fund at http://covid.ophrd.gov.pk. We are our brothers keeper let’s help each other. #Pakistanis4Pakistanis,” he tweeted.

Due to mismanagement and corruption made by previous regimes, there was a trust deficit between the government and the people but due to current reforms and effective management of economy during the pandemic, the current government of Prime Minister Imran Khan has regained the trust of the people not only within the country but also at the international level.