Battling pandemic: PM establishes 'Coronavirus Relief Fund'

• Imran says a force 'Corona Relief Tigers' consisting of youth and volunteers from all over the country will be set up.
• Registration for force will commence from March 31: Imran.
• Restrictions on goods transport in country being lifted, says PM.
• Imran orders police to release all those people who were arrested during lockdown.

(Karachi) Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that in view of increasing coronavirus cases in the country, the government has established a 'Coronavirus Relief Fund' while a force 'Corona Relief Tigers' consisting of youth and volunteers is also being constituted.

Addressing anchor persons in Islamabad, Imran said that registration for force will commence from March 31. He announced that an account is being opened for donation from overseas Pakistanis.

He said members of the force will be responsible to distribute food at doorsteps of the people across the country in case Covid-19 cases rise in any area.

He elaborated that the 'Coronavirus Relief Fund will support daily wagers and poor segments of society affected by the coronavirus.  "The fund will comprise money donated by the public while the government will also provide cash to the poor under its Ehsaas programme," the premier said.

The PM said that restrictions on goods transport in the country are being lifted with immediate effect. He said that all goods transport will continue to operate to avoid shortage of food items and affect economy of the country.

He said all four provinces are working to devise a mechanism to ensure food industries and industries linked with food production remain functional. "We aim for people not to gather in one place but alongside this we want to avoid any obstacles in the supply of food."

Imran Khan pointed out that the government is utilizing all resources to avoid creating panic in the country.

He maintained that the government is taking decisions keeping in view the coronavirus situation and in the best interest of the masses.

The prime minister said despite the fact coronavirus has so far not spread as widely in Pakistan as in some western countries, there is no guarantee the disease cases will not sharply rise in the country in coming weeks. He said the government is now preparing for the "worst-case scenario".

"The lockdown in China succeeded but in America and Italy it failed," the PM remarked.

On the occasion, he said that Taftan border lack facilities and the area is "barren". He highlighted the Balochistan government did not have enough funds to provide adequate facilities to pilgrims and traders travelling from Iran.

"Dr Zafar visited Taftan border after the first case was reported but when he returned and gave us the report, we were horrified. Because the area lacked basic facilities."

He said, "There was no management in Taftan at all."

The PM also ordered the police to release those people who were arrested during the lockdown.