ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Friday launched extension of Ehsaas Koi Bhooka Na Soye (no one goes to sleep hungry) initiative to three major cities of Punjab; Lahore, Gujranwala and Multan.

Presiding over a related ceremony, he directed to ensure quality of food at all costs.

The government plans extending this programme to 29 cities across the country by October this year to provide free of cost meals to the poor people, according to an official statement.

In April this year, the PM accorded approval to setting up Koye Bhooka Na Soye Fund following which the fund was set up to collect public donations for expansion of Koi Bhooka Na Soye (no one should go to bed hungry) initiative nationwide.

Lahore and Faisalabad: ‘Koi Bhooka Na Soye’ programme launched

This initiative has been made operational under the administrative purview of Ehsaas Programme.

Earlier this year, the PM launched Koi Bhooka Na Soye initiative ahead of the ongoing Islamic month of Ramazan.

According to Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division (PASSD), for integrity and efficiency of donor management operations, Ehsaas is setting up a donation management system.

Once fully operational, the system will assist funders in terms of transparency, fund utilization and traceability, PASSD said in an earlier statement.

Arrangements have been made to receive donations in favour of Koye Bhooka Na Soye through branches of all the commercial banks operating across the country, PASSD said, adding that contributions can also be made at field offices of State Bank of Pakistan Banking Services Cooperation in 15 cities across the country.

The SBP has directed the commercial banks to make available pre-printed deposit slips at their respective counters to facilitate the public in depositing the donations.

Overseas Pakistanis can also send their donations to Koye Bhooka Na Soye Fund through any commercial bank in Pakistan and by also using Roshan Digital Account (RDA) services.

"We are setting up a robust fund governance mechanism at the Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division in order to ensure that all decisions related to fund utilisation and deployment are strictly rule based and transparent," PASSD statement said.

Meanwhile, PM announced to honour Constable Jamal Kalhoro on Pakistan Day after he was filmed saving the life of a man who fell off a moving train.

"We have decided to honour Constable Jamal Kalhoro on Pakistan Day 23rd March for dedication to duty. 'If anyone saves a life, it shall be as though he had saved the lives of all mankind. - Surah Al-Mai'dah [5:32]" the PM tweeted.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021