Combatting coronavirus: PM announces establishment of "Corona Tigers Relief Force"

• PM says "Corona Tigers Relief Force" will provide food to areas where it is required and provide information to people.
• Prime minister says those involved in hoarding will be dealt with an iron hand.
• The government is also setting up "Corona Relief Fund" to raise money to help people and deal with the coronavirus pandemic: Imran.

(Karachi) Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the government has decided to establish "Corona Tigers Relief Force" which will work in coordination with the Pakistan Army and other authorities in wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

Addressing the nation on Monday, he said that "Corona Tigers Relief Force" will be the individuals who will provide food to areas where it is required. He added that they will provide people with information.

He announced that the government is also setting up "Coronavirus Relief Fund" to raise money to help people and deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

"I am announcing the Coronavirus Relief Fund," the prime minister said. He said that people should deposit money in the National Bank of Pakistan account for the fund. He said those depositing money should not be questioned and the amount will be tax deductible.

Regarding profiteering and hoarding, the prime minister said that those involved in hoarding will be dealt with an iron hand. He said, "People will die of starvation in this country because of hoarders."

Highlighting situation in India, Imran said that it is important to look at the situation in the country in wake of the pandemic. He said that Pakistan has two main strengths in this fight: faith and the youth.

He said that the entire world is battling the coronavirus pandemic. He added that 25% people in Pakistan live below poverty line. "If we go for lockdown, it will not succeed."

He said, "If we cannot provide ration to people then there is no purpose of imposing a lockdown. He said the nation can win fight against coronavirus by showing unity.

The PM said the whole world is fighting a war against the virus and each country is fighting according to its own capacity.

"The country that has been most successful in this war is China," he said. He highlighted that the lockdown in Wuhan, the epicentre of the virus, had enabled them to beat the virus.

He said that if Pakistan's situation was the same as China he would have imposed a lockdown. Imran said that the government announced an economic package of eight billion dollars which is highest in the history.