Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan says the government is providing cash assistance to mitigate sufferings of the common people in wake of COVID-19 outbreak.

Talking to media in Islamabad on Saturday, she said the government is reaching out to deserving families to help oppressed and destitute class by extending financial assistance under Ehsas Cash Emergency Program.

She said 8,15,548 families received the cash assistance by yesterday. She said 27 cash points have been established in Islamabad for disbursement of 12,000 rupees to each deserving family under the cash program. She said only those people should come to the cash points, who receive an SMS in this regard, while others should wait for the next phase to be started soon.

Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said the district administration is also evaluating requests for cash assistance and deserving families, finalized through this process, will be entertained in the third phase. She said the government is going to distribute 144 billion rupees to the deserving families under Ehsas Emergency Cash Program.

The Special Assistant said it is the biggest programme in country's history aimed at investing in human capital, while ensuring utmost transparency, and to help common people in difficult times.

Akram/Asmaa/Karrar