ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan said Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme was being run on transparency and merit. He was speaking during a visit to Ehsaas cash distribution point in Rawalpindi. The prime minister said the programme was aimed at providing financial assistance to vulnerable and deserving segments of the society in this hour of need. He said steps were being taken to further strengthen the programme and widen its scope. The prime minister appreciated the arrangements for distribution of cash.

Earlier, Special Assistant on Social Protection Dr Sania Nishtar gave a briefing to the prime minister on procedure of disbursement of cash under Ehsaas Programme and protective measures.

Imran Khan also accorded approval to the Ehsaas Emergency Cash Information Portal.

Dr Sania Nishtar briefed the prime minister about the portal. Speaking on the occasion, Imran Khan said the programme was being run transparently and on merit while appreciating Dr Sania Nishtar and her team for making this possible.

Meanwhile, talking to chairman of Peshawar Zalmi Javed Afridi here, the prime minister said that the government had thrashed out comprehensive standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the industrial activities, which had been allowed in the country and it was a collective responsibility of the government and the industrialists to ensure their complete implementation.

He emphasised that while preventive measures should be taken with regard to coronavirus, precautionary steps be taken for the industrial activities so that there should be mitigation of the difficulties of the labourers and poor segments of the society.

Keeping in view the conditions and the problems of the masses, the strategy, he noted, was being evolved.

Javed Afridi presented various proposals for continuation of the industrial process and for redressal of problems, being faced by the business community.