Prime Minister Imran Khan called on President Dr Arif Alvi here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Monday and exchanged views on domestic and international matters.
The meeting also discussed the current situation arising out of the coronavirus pandemic.
The President appreciated the steps taken by the government to control the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
He also lauded the initiative of the Prime Minister regarding debt moratorium for the developing countries.
The President said that the government should keep on ensuring all possible measures to provide urgent relief to the masses, especially downtrodden strata of the society, through Ehsaas Programme, Utility Stores, Panahgahs, Langars, and other necessary steps during this crisis.
Later, Director General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed also joined the meeting.
The meeting strongly condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations by Indian forces across the Line of Control (LoC) and use of coronavirus pandemic as an excuse to trample human rights and further curb civil liberties in the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
It was also highlighted that the people of IoJK were being denied basic health facilities even during this health crisis.
The Prime Minister thanked the President and lauded his efforts to evolve consensus among the Ulema regarding prayers and Taraweeh in mosques during the holy month of Ramazan.
The meeting discussed the recently agreed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) with Ulema and its implementation.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday urged upon people to stay maximum at home leading the government lead to ease the gradual lockdown.
“The more people show self-discipline, the easier it will be for us to manage the COVID-19 plus ease the lockdown gradually,” the prime minister wrote in a tweet.
Imran Khan said, “My message for people is to stay home as much as possible during this pandemic.”
He also shared a video clip where doctors and consultants of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital advised the public to stay home to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Separately, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday expressed his satisfaction that Ehsaas Programme was providing relief to masses on the basis of merit and transparency and without any prejudice or political affiliation.
He was talking to Members of National Assembly (MNAs) belonging to Faisalabad, who called on him here.
The delegation comprised Chaudhry Asim Nazir, Nawab Sher Waseer, Raza Nasrullah and Khurram Shehzad. Minister for Planning Asad Umar was also present in the meeting.
The Prime Minister directed the MNAs to play active role in providing relief to people in their constituencies particularly during the holy month of Ramazan.
The MNAs apprised the Prime Minister of the situation about the provision of financial assistance, in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, to deserving people by the government under Ehsaas Programme in their respective constituencies.
The delegation lauded the Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme and said that weaker segments of the society were very much encouraged by the government’s measure in this critical hour.
Also, the employees of Pakistan Railways on Monday donated their one-day salary to Prime Minister’s Corona Relief Fund.
Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid Ahmed presented the donation cheque worth Rs 50,185,000 to Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Sheikh Rashid informed the prime minister that a train of Pakistan Railways, comprising 30 medical coaches, had been sent to Chaman as arrangement for isolation of 500 patients and suspects of coronavirus. Also, another train with same capacity was ready to leave for Taftan, he added.
He said the medical coaches had been specifically prepared to cater to the needs of patients affected with coronavirus.
Sheikh Rashid also updated the prime minister about the situation of hospitals, traders and labourers in Rawalpindi in view of ongoing lockdown to contain the pandemic.
