Federal Cabinet decides to launch Ehsaas program phase-II: Shibli

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet has decided to launch phase-II of Ehsaas Cash Programme to mitigate sufferings of weaker segments of the society.
This was stated by Information Minister Syed Shibli Faraz, while briefing media after the cabinet meeting was held here on Tuesday with Prime Minister Imran Khan in the chair.
The information minister said that Ehsas Emergency Cash Programme was commended internationally as Rs150 billion were distributed among deserving people apolitically and in a transparent manner.
He said the cabinet also lauded finance advisor and his team for presenting a tax free budget, despite difficult situation in the wake of COVID-19.
Regarding dealing with the challenge of COVID-19 pandemic, Syed Shibli Faraz said the government has formulated strict rules and regulations to avoid spread of coronavirus and district administration has been directed to ensure implementation of these precautionary measures on the eve of upcoming Eidul Azha.
He said Prime Minister Imran Khan announced to celebrate Eidul Azha at his residence and he also asked the people to celebrate the occasion, while staying inside their abodes, instead of mixing with others in a bid to contain spread of the coronavirus.
The minister said that Prime Minister Imran Khan’s strategy to deal with the challenge of the spread of virus remained successful due to which Pakistan remains least affected by the contagion as compared to other countries of the world. He said Pakistan adopted a strategy to deal with the coronavirus in view of ground realities.
He also lauded the role of National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) and said that the country developed infrastructure to deal with COVID-19 on emergency basis and they have improved the number of testing labs to 129 from only two when the pandemic hit the country.
Commenting on issues relating to Pakistani pilots, the minister said the government is taking steps to secure air travel as well as strengthen engineering side of the Pakistan International Airlines. He said 28 pilots of PIA having faked and dubious licenses have been dismissed from service. He said that an action has been started against officials of PIA and Civil Aviation Authority, responsible for issuing fake licenses.
The minister said that the cabinet was also briefed about the progress on sugar inquiry report. It was told that sugar reforms committee has been constituted with the objective to ensure provision of sugar at affordable prices to the people.
Meanwhile, according to media reports, the federal cabinet approved the appointment of Air Marshal Arshad Malik as Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) CEO for three years.
Air Marshal Arshad Malik will retire from Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on July 12 and he will continue serving as PIA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the next three years. – TLTP