ISLAMABAD: The government on Thursday started implementing its special economic relief package by disbursing Rs 12,000 among poor families to mitigate the adverse financial consequences of the COVID-19 lockdown in the country.

According to official statistics, Pakistan has 4,322 coronavirus cases with 63 fatalities.

In order to prevent the spread of the virus, the country is currently undergoing strict lockdown restrictions that have resulted in a slowdown in business activities, making the financially weak segments of society more vulnerable.

Pakistan’s Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar said in press conference on Wednesday that the government would disburse Rs 48 billion among 4 million families in the first phase of the program.

For the initial phase, over 16,000 distribution points have been established across the country.

Pakistan announced a relief package of Rs 1.25 trillion in March to strengthen several economic sectors. It also promised to give Rs 200 billion to help to the daily wage earners who are suffering the most under the circumstances.

Meanwhile, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Health Services Dr. Zafar Mirza said that the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has been allowed to locally produce raw material for chloroquine as part of the country’s effort to deal with the coronavirus challenge.

According to the state-run media, DRAP has also permitted clinical trials of plasma therapy for coronavirus treatment.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has repeatedly expressed his concern about the well-being of needy individuals in the country as the lockdown situation continues in the country with an already struggling economy.