17 food distribution centres set up in ICT

Zakat, Ushr committees identify 4,500 underprivileged people in Pindi

RAWALPINDI/ ISLAMABAD: To prevent the people from stepping out of their homes during the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) lockdown, 17 centres have been set up to deliver essential commodities to the public in the city free of cost.

In Rawalpindi, hundreds of underprivileged people have been identified who will be provided with cash support.

IN a news conference along with Markazi Anjuman Tajiran President Kashif Chaudhry on Tuesday, Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Deputy Commissioner (DC) Hamza Shafqaat announced to establish the food delivery centres.

Citing the increase in coronavirus infected patients in the federal capital, DC Shafqaat explained that people needed to remain indoors and maintain the lockdown. He added that these delivery centres will help those confined to their homes to receive essential commodities.

He added that the sites for establishing these 17 centres have been notified and will start operations within the next three days.

The deputy commissioner said that those people who want to deposit alms or any other charity to help underprivileged citizens, can do so at their local police station, or at the three ration centres set up in the city.

DC assured that they have sufficient quantities of essential commodities to fulfil the demands of locals for the next 15 days.

Chaudhry assured the district administration that the business community of the federal capital is fulfilling its responsibilities by delivering food and rations to the unprivileged people.

Supporting the underprivileged

To support the underprivileged segments of society during the lockdown, the Rawalpindi Zakat and Ushr department have come forward with a package to support some 4,569 people in the district.

Rawalpindi District Zakat Council Chairman Ghulam Hussain on Tuesday that they will financially support daily-wage workers and labourers, the segment most affected from lockdown. Noting that they had identified recipients of the aid, Hussain said that in the first phase, they will provide each of these individuals a cash grant of Rs4,500. 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 1^st, 2020.