JI offers its hospitals, ambulances to govt for fight against virus

LAHORE: Jamaat-i-Islami emir Senator Sirajul Haq on Tuesday offered all the medical facilities and ambulance services of his party in different cities to the federal and provincial governments for assisting their efforts against coronavirus spread.

Talking to party workers at the party headquarters, Mansoora, he announced support to federal and provincial governments in mitigating the threat of coronavirus outbreak. He said the entire nation should demonstrate unity and political forces should put on the back-burner their mutual differences to cope with the pandemic.

He said the masses should not panic and take all the precautionary measures against the virus. He also emphasised that the government teams should focus on preparations to handle the situation instead of issuing statements.

He said the government should take strict action against the hoarders and those selling essential food items at higher prices Senator Siraj demanded the government should waive off gas and electricity bills of the citizens earning below Rs25,000 per month as the virus outbreak had almost closed down businesses, effecting millions of labourers and their families across the country. He reminded the rulers of their responsibility to provide relief to the masses in these testing times.

He welcomed the announcement made by some international financial institutions to cut benchmark interest to almost zero, appealing to the government to take the similar measures to support the economy of the country.

“Pakistan cannot be put on the path to development without getting rid of the interest-based economy,” he added.