PESHAWAR: Jamaat-i-Islami chief Senator Sirajul Haq has said instead of giving billion of rupees worth of subsidy to the feudal lords, the government should give it to the poor people on medicines, healthcare and edible items.

Mr Siraj told reporters here on Wednesday that the federal government shouldn’t wait for the arrival of foreign assistance and should immediately release the Rs1,200 billion relief package for the people.

He said the consumers had paid Rs85 billion during the last few months on account of sugar and Rs76 billion of that amount went to the pockets of ‘sugar tigers’ instead of exchequer.

The JI leader said the government should change its mindset and focus attention on the development of poor people.

He said millions of daily-wage workers had become jobless due to the countrywide lockdown. “Daily wagers need full attention of the government, which should distribute cash assistance to them,” he said.

Says daily wagers should get cash assistance without delay

Mr Siraj visited the Police Services Hospital, where an isolation centre has been established for coronavirus patients.

Medical superintendent Dr Fakheruddin briefed him about the centre and facilities provided to coronavirus patients.

He said the Al-Khidmat Foundation, the Jamaat’s charity-cum-relief wing, was providing food to the patients admitted to the hospital.

The JI leader said his party had been serving the people during the Covid-19 outbreak disregarding their caste, creed and colour.

“Relief packets are being provided to the deserving people on their doorstep,” he said. Mr Siraj complained that the people had yet to benefit from the relief package announced by the government.

He said his party and Al-Khidmat Foundation would continue supporting people in distress.

The JI leader praised volunteers, health workers and personnel of the law-enforcement agencies for the frontline force in the fight against coronavirus in the country.

He said doctors had rendered lives while treating the people hit by the virus.

Mr Siraj urged people to follow the World Health Organisation’s guidelines to prevent Covid-19. He advocated social distancing and personal hygiene.

Meanwhile, a statement said Senator Siraj inaugurated the Corona Special Care Unit at the Al- Khidmat Hospital in Peshawar.

Published in Dawn, April 9th, 2020