Terming the relief package announced by the government to deal with the coronavirus crisis as inadequate and incomplete, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif has advised the incumbent government to deal with the current crisis with foresight, intelligence and incredible patience.
"The concerns of the opposition regarding the relief package must be addressed," he said, adding: "The government must help the people in this difficult time." Unveiling a plan to ensure uninterrupted supply of food and medicines across Pakistan amid current lockdown, Shehbaz said the plan envisions the use of utility stores for the purpose of ensuring continuity of food supplies to different districts across the country.
"Citizens should use phone lines and mobile phone applications to order food and medicines to their homes," he said, adding: "The distribution of these items should be carried out through Pakistan Post and Railways." The PML-N President suggested that the Pakistan Baitul Maal, Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and other subsidies should be used by the government to bring down the prices of essential items across the country. He also proposed that the scope of the BISP be extended to 3-4 million families so that they could lead their lives in this hour of need.
Shehbaz saluted the law enforcing personnel, doctors, nurses, medical staff, government employees and other public servants who were risking their lives to perform their duties in the time of crisis.