Advisor to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Information Ajmal Wazir said on Friday that the coronavirus testing capacity of the province has been increased to 500 patients a day. Addressing a press briefing to give an update on the measures adopted to stop the spread of the coronavirus, he said that all the essential medical equipments and kits had been provided to the hospitals.
Wazir, who is also the focal person of the provincial government on the coronavirus situation, said that the provincial government had announced a package of Rs32 billion to deal with the pandemic under which relief would be provided to 1.9 million families across the province.
Under the package, Rs8 billion had been released to ensure the availability of equipment for doctors and paramedic staff in hospitals, he said. Ajmal Wazir said that the government would also give a tax relief of Rs5 billon under various heads.
He said that the COVID-19 tests were being conducted in Bannu and D.I. Khan with the help of the Pakistan Army, acknowledging the efforts of doctors, paramedical staff and security officials who were perfuming duties round the clock.
He categorically rejected the impression of any shortage of food and other essential commodities in the province, adding that sufficient stock was available to fulfill the food requirements of the people.
Ajmal Wazir warned that hoarding, artificial price hike or profiteering would not be accepted, and strict action would be taken against all such elements under the law. He said an overall relief package of Rs32 billion had been approved for the people of KP that was unprecedented in the prevailing situation.
To give relief to the business community, he said that the provincial government waived off provincial taxes amounting to Rs5 billion. Ajmal Wazir said that the chief minister was personally monitoring the relief operation.