K-P govt announces Rs11.4b relief package to ward off coronavirus crisis

Package will provide financial assistance to 1.9 milion deserving families, says information minister

PESHAWAR: The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government on Saturday approved a Rs11.4 billion stimulus economic package to provide relief to the masses and business community amid the coronavirus crisis.

Provincial Information Minister Ajmal Wazir, while addressing a press conference, said the relief package would benefit 1.9 million deserving families, adding that the business community has also been exempted from taxes worth Rs5 billion.

He said the provincial government has ramped up its testing capacity with 500 new diagnostics kits and it will be further enhanced in the coming days. "We will ensure that testing facility for coronavirus is available across the province."

He said as of today, there are 180 confirmed coronavirus patients and 820 suspected cases in the province.

Wazir said 195 people had been tested negative for COVID-19 till yesterday whereas test results of 345 suspected patients are yet to arrive.



He added that the government was making unstinting efforts to provide protective kits to the frontline doctors fighting against the coronavirus.

Ajmal also confirmed that a woman belonging to Lower Dir area died on Friday and her medical report confirmed that she had coronavirus.

The deceased recently returned from Umrah, he added.

The provincial government is also initiating crackdown against profiteers and hoarders, said the minister, adding that there is no shortage of food items in the province and all authorities concerned have been directed to ensure smooth supply of essential items.