Sadly, in times of such crisis, and dilemma, where people must maintain their calm and act practically, there have been a lot of irrationalities.
Ever since Prime Minister Imran Khan launched his Ehsaas cash distribution program, people of Pakistan are hell-bent on spreading pestilence in the name of relief.
Today, a woman in Multan lost her life in a stampede during one of the cash distribution activities.
According to nationwide statistics, the coronavirus pandemic has infected more than 4,500 people, moreover, causing, 66 deaths.
The unfortunate incident
Owing to the official announcements, people of the Qasimpur colony in Multan, were to receive money under the barrier of Ehsaas cash distribution program. Later this day, hundreds of women gathered at the MA Jinnah school, to collect money from government officials as well.
Due to mismanagement, a riot broke out amongst the crowd, resulting in the women pushing each other. As a consequence of this stampede, a woman died. Moreover, 20 sustained severe injuries. A rescue team later came to shift the injured ones to a nearby hospital.
Witnesses who were present at the site claim that the women were violating the protocols of social distancing.
Journalist and author, Hamid Mir tweeted the video saying that an incident like this is quite unfortunate for all of us. Instead of making this cause, a relief for all, people are destroying themselves with their own hands. By standing in crowds like these, in the greed of stocking ration, people are actually making it easy for the Coronavirus to transmit.
ملتان میں احساس پروگرام کے تحت رقوم کی ادائیگی کے دوران بھگدڑ سے خاتون کی ہلاکت، کراچی میں درجنوں نمازیوں کا خاتون ایس ایچ او پر حملہ اور امداد کے لئے جگہ جگہ ہجوم اکٹھا ہوناافسوسناک ہے عوام اپنی بربادی کو دعوت مت دیں امداد ضرور لیں اور دیں لیکن امداد کے نام پر وبا نہ پھیلائیں pic.twitter.com/F7xN7G7fza
— Hamid Mir (@HamidMirPAK) April 10, 2020
The Ehsaas program is an initiative of the federal government, especially, to cater to the needs of deserving families, amidst lockdown. It allows daily wagers to receive 12,000 cash grants by sending an SMS on 8171.
Special Assistant to PM, Dr. Sania Nishtar asserted that an initiative like this is to clinch that there is no disruption in goods transportation. Subsequently, people in need of essential commodities will get them without any haste.
Ehsaas Program
In light of the current events, tweets highlighting issues related to the Ehsaas program have been circulating a lot. Speaking of which, many people are still confused, whether they have to be physically present at the registration offices or do it online.
Moreover, for hinterlands, the SMS service is seemingly farfetched, due to the lack of network facilities being available.
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