To fight coronavirus, PM Khan announces a youth force, charity fund

By Muhammad YaseenPublished On 05 Jan 2023

ISLAMABAD : Assuring that the government is prepared for the worst-case scenario, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday sounded optimistic that war against coronavirus will be won with the united resolve of the nation.

Talking to TV anchors after chairing the meeting of the National Coordination Committee (NCC) in the capital, the Prime Minister said incremental response is essential because of Pakistan’s peculiar circumstances. The Prime Minister also announced the formation of a special youth force of volunteers dubbed Corona Relief Tigers Force (CRTF) to distribute food at homes among deserving families during a possible complete lockdown in days to come.

He said members of the CRTF will be recruited through the PM Office portal and registration will formally start on March 31.

“The CRTF will be sent all over Pakistan. We will map out where there is a spike in coronavirus cases, these tigers will be sent to those areas to deliver essential food supplies.”

He said that the virus has spread dramatically across the globe, with the United

States emerging as the new epicenter. “No one can say today what the situation will be two weeks down the line,” he added.

“That’s why we have to be prepared for the worst-case scenario in case the number of cases spikes,” said the Prime Minister.

Referring to President Alvi’s recent visit to China during which he was accompanied by Asad Umar and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Prime Minister said that the Pakistani delegation asked China how they controlled the situation at a time when there were close to 60,000 cases in Wuhan.

“It is important to note that when they enforced a lockdown, they delivered food to people’s homes.”

He said that Pakistani students recalled that the government would send supplies straight to their hostels.

“In Pakistan, this is a tall order. Today, if we want to lockdown, we don’t have the infrastructure to get food to people’s homes.

He reminded everyone that “we have the world’s second-largest youth population” which is a great source of strength for the nation.

The Prime Minister also announced the establishment of the Corona Fund to welcome charitable donations so that the underprivileged can be looked after.

He said he will open an account in the State Bank of Pakistan next week where donations from overseas Pakistanis will be collected to steer the country out of the economic crisis.

“Data on our daily wagers is being collected. We will also dispense funds from the Ehsas programme and then this fund will be an added source to help people buy essential items for their families.”

Labeling this an unprecedented initiative and putting stock in people’s charitable spirits, the Prime Minister said that Pakistanis donate like no other nation in the world.

He recalled earthquakes and floods which had wreaked much damage in the country but put no dent in people’s willingness to help.