Pakistan plans relief package for small traders, unemployed people

ISLAMABAD - The federal government is going to launch a relief package for unemployed people and small business traders, who are facing financial problems due to lockdown that has been imposed to control the coronavirus.

Minister for Industries Hammad Azhar addressing a media conference following the meeting of Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) a relief package worth Rs75 billion has been proposed under the Ehsaas program to help daily wagers, and those who have lost their jobs due to the lockdown. 

He said that 4-6 million deserving people, who are not part of the Ehsaas Emergency Cash Program, will be given Rs12,000 each. 

The government is going to set up a web portal for unemployed persons, he said, adding that the people can be able to register themselves through phones. 

Azhar went on to say that the ECC has approved the  Chota Karobar Imdadi Package, under which the government will pay the electricity bills of small traders for three months.

The package will be approved by the federal cabinet.