MUHAMMAD SALEEM

LAHORE: While announcing provision of masks, sanitizers and soaps to prisoners and staff of all the jails as well as free ration to 100,000 poor families in Punjab, Governor Punjab Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar said on Saturday that war against corona cannot be won in streets but staying at homes.

Tough decisions will be taken, if the people do not restrict their unnecessary mobility, he said.

“The opposition should set aside its reservations and support the government to fight corona,” he added.

He was addressing at a news conference along with Gohar Ejaz from Lahore Institute of Health Sciences (LIHS), Akhuwat Foundation Chairman Dr Amjad Saqib, Khawaja Shahzeb Akram from pharmaceutical sector, Qazi Azmat from PEEF, Sarwar Foundation’s Vice Chairperson Begum Perveen Sarwar and representatives of 12 welfare organizations at Governor House Lahore on Saturday.

The governor said, “We have decided jointly with representatives of 12 welfare organizations of Punjab Development Network to take comprehensive measures to protect staff and prisoners of all jails in Punjab from corona. For this purpose, we have compiled all the record regarding number of prisoners and their problems as well, and in the first phase, we have handed over first consignment of anti-corona wares to IG Punjab for Lahore jails to prevent their staff and prisoners from corona.”

‘As per vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan, we have also decided to provide free ration to all those families who become jobless due to corona crisis, and in the first phase, provision of free ration to 100,000 poor families is being started for which an application (app) is also being developed. After that name of the person receiving ration will be enlisted on the application to avoid double supply of ration to anyone,” he said.

The state will fulfill its responsibility of protection and help of the helpless and needy people at all costs. Philanthropists must come forward to play their role in supporting the people affected by corona crisis. Prime Minister Imran Khan is formulating people-friendly policies, he said.

Responding to a question, the governor said that unfortunately, people are not taking corona situation as serious but I make it clear that if people continue with such response then they will be confined to their houses through strict measures.

Gohar Ejaz from Lahore Institute of Health Sciences (LIHS) said that as per vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan, we are standing with Punjab governor for provision of free ration to the poor and saving the prisoners and jails staff from coronavirus. We assure that anyone who is jobless will not be left without having meal during the crisis in the wake of coronavirus pandemic and we will deliver ration at their homes.

Akhuwat Foundation Chairman Dr Amjad Saqib and Khawaja Shahzeb Akram said, “We are happy to participate in this sacred cause and the way we are working together, we will succeed in our mission.”