Imran launches cash aid plan for the jobless

NATION BECOMES 2OTH MOST AFFECTED AS CASES RISE

With coronavirus tally crossing 43,000 cases yesterday, Pakistan is now the 20th most-affected Covid-19 country in the world.

The number of coronavirus cases continues to rise sharply in the country, which has already eased lockdown by opening shopping malls, businesses, trains, domestic flights and public transport.

The confirmed official tally shows yesterday afternoon that the cases have risen to 43,970 with 939 deaths while 12,489 patients have recovered so far. At least 36 patients have died during the last 24-hour.

According to data from the US-based Johns Hopkins University, which has maintained a dashboard of Covid-19 cases worldwide, Pakistan is listed at 20 in terms of the number of people infected, out of 188 countries.

Pakistan government has taken a number of measures to help the needy families and those who lost jobs. More than 18 million Pakistanis have become jobless due to almost two-month long lockdown.

In the wake of massive job losses and help the poor families, Prime Minister Imran Khan last month announced relief package of $8 billion. The money was also used to help businesses and to give tax rebates.

Disbursement process

On Monday, Imran also formally launched the disbursement process of Ehsaas Emergency Cash to people who lost jobs due to the pandemic. They will be given cash from the PM Covid-19 Relief Fund.

Every jobless person who has registered for help, will get an emergency cash assistance of Rs12,000 each through the system.

So far, more than 3.4 million jobless have applied for cash assistance via Ehsaas Labour Portal since the prime minister launched the scheme for jobless on May 2, reported APP.