THATTA: Sindh Governor Imran Ismail has said that Pakistan, like most other countries of the world, is equally facing a war-like situation against the invisible enemy, Covid-19 and the war can be won only with a sensibly enforced strategic lockdown coupled with all effective measures. “We are determined to avert a catastrophe,” he said.

He was speaking to the media in Thatta on the first leg of his whirlwind tour of southern Sindh that took him to Sujawal and Badin districts as well on Tuesday.

The governor said that the federal government was equally concerned about situation in Sindh because it was one of the federating units. “Sindh’s interests are also dear to us and of significant importance,” he said, adding that whoever the prime minister, Imran Khan or any other leader, was supposed to do the needful in such a situation.

Governor Ismail observed that most people of the province were facing hardship due to the lockdown. At the same time, he added, it would be almost impossible for the authorities concerned to reach out to each and every citizen in trouble if areas were sealed off. “People need regular supplies and assistance, especially edibles and simultaneously protection against coronavirus infection,” he said. Therefore, he said, a lockdown has to be enforced sensibly so as to ensure provision of relief to all citizens affected by the restrictions on movement and routine activities.

‘PM Imran Khan to visit interior of Sindh soon’

The governor pointed out that owing to the growing number of Covid-19 cases being reported in Sindh, the federal government was paying due attention to the situation in this province. He said 50,000 test kits had been arranged and would be provided to the province soon. Testing machines, masks, PPE and other material had already been provided to Sindh while the federal government had arranged a huge amount in foreign aid to deal with the situation in the country.

He held out the assurance that the federal government would provide more assistance to this province on requisition.

He described the PM’s programme as the biggest ever launched in the country as Rs1,200 billion had been earmarked for it. He termed PM Imran Khan as the most competent, sincere and dedicated statesman of the country after Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. He said Mr Khan was the only PM who identified those involved in mega corruption and brought them to book.

Referring to the Prime Minister’s Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme, he said that in Thatta district alone, around 27,000 families had already received Rs12,000 over the last four days. He pointed out that 24 centres had been set up for distribution of the money. The designated bank had now been asked to enhance its capacity to deliver cash to the needy and deserving families, he added.

In reply to a question about the recently exposed sugar and wheat scam, Governor Ismail said the prime minister would certainly take action against all those involved once the inquiry report was released on April 25. No one found involved in the mega scam, howsoever powerful, would be spared, he declared.

Replying to another question, he welcomed Supreme Court’s recent observations about Sindh government’s performance and handling of affairs with regard to the fight against coronavirus and distribution of relief goods. He said the judiciary’s role of keeping an eye on performance of governments/departments must be appreciated. He said the judiciary’s guidance would certainly help governments, be it the federal or provincial, mend its ways and put things on the right track.

Governor Ismail also announced that Prime Minister Imran Khan would soon undertake a visit to the interior of Sindh to take stock of the situation arising out of the Covid-19 outbreak and assess effectiveness of the relief distribution measures. He would collect first-hand information from officials and members of the general public, he said.

Earlier, Thatta Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Usman Tanveer briefed the governor about the lockdown, distribution of food and other relief goods, as well as delivery of cash assistance under the PM’s emergency financial assistance programme to deserving families in the district.

The governor expressed his satisfaction over the administration’s performance and appreciated its efforts being put in by it to ensure proper care of the hard-hit people.

APP adds: Speaking to local reporters at an Ehsaas Kafalat centre in Badin, Governor Ismail said Prime Minister Imran Khan had launched the Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme to provide much-needed relief to the poor and needy. “The aim is affected families’ economic revival,” he said.

He termed the PM’s initiative “a mega assistance programme”. He said he, like the prime minister, wanted to make sure that no was left to suffer due to the lockdown.

Badin Deputy Commissioner Dr Hafeez Ahmed Siyal and Director General of Ehsaas Kafalat Abdul Rahim Sheikh briefed the governor about the process of cash disbursement among deserving families in the district.

He was informed that 15 cash distribution centres had been established across the district to deliver cash assistance to 129,890 listed families.

The DC told him that free ration had already been provided to 50,782 families confined to their houses due to the lockdown in the district.

Later, Governor Ismail visited Indus (civil) Hospital and inquired about availability of essentially required medical facilities in the isolation rooms spared for Covid-19 patients.

He also handed over PPE to the hospital management for doctors and paramedics.

MPA Barrister Hasnain Mirza and officials of Badin district administration were also present.

Published in Dawn, April 15th, 2020