LAHORE: The Punjab government has begun the process of distribution of financial aid to the destitute and daily wage earners under the Chief Minister Insaf Imdad Programme.

Chief Minister Usman Buzdar says Rs1.46 billion have been transferred to 170,000 zakat recipients under the head of financial aid. “The government is providing real relief to the masses, instead of making hollow claims,” he said.

He said the ailing humanity could be best served through practical deeds than the spate of political jugglery. He said Rs10 billion had been allocated to provide financial aid to 2.5 million families.

“It is the most transparent and speedy financial aid programme of benefiting the daily wagers in Punjab,” says the chief minister.

DONATION: Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) President Irfan Sheikh on Friday presented a cheque of Rs10 million to the chief minister for the CM Fund for Corona Control.

The LCCI two-member delegation including Vice President Mian Zahid Javed Ahmed had called on the chief minister at his office.

The chief minister said the philanthropic passion of the industrialists was praiseworthy. He said the emotion of helping the ailing humanity also encouraged others and Islam also taught its followers to help the people in need.

“It is the time to help those who face difficulties and the rich should come forward to donate for others,” Mr Buzdar said.

He said the government was working hard to deal with the coronavirus pandemic and vowed that this battle would be won with the support of the people. He said the government had taken every step to secure the lives of the people.

AERIAL VIEW: The chief minister took an aerial view of the lockdown situation of Lahore and its surrounding areas. He saw different markets and trading centres closed due to the lockdown.

The streets and surrounding areas of the city were also devoid of traffic and the markets appeared deserted.

The chief minister expressed his satisfaction over the government’s measures taken for the protection of the people and lauded the efforts of police, Pak Army and Rangers. He said the measures had been taken to protect the health and life of the people.

“The outbreak of coronavirus can only be prevented if people stay at their homes,” he reiterated.

The chief minister expressed his gratitude for the people of Lahore for following the government’s instructions. He said the government was keeping a vigilant eye on the situation.

He said he was reviewing the implementation of government’s orders by visiting cities and trying to ensure that people stay protected from the scourge of coronavirus.

Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2020