Salaries of ministers, govt employees deducted for COVID-19 patients’ treatment

Sindh government has made a cut in salaries of its ministers, advisers, assistants and government employees in order to spend the funds for the treatment of coronavirus patients.

Following the sharp rise in COVID-19 pandemic cases across Sindh, the provincial government has deducted an overall amount of over Rs1.78 billion from the salaries of government employees and its ministers.

The officers from Grade-1 to Grade 22 also included in the salaries’ deduction.

According to the provincial government, the funds will utilize to treat coronavirus patients.

It emerged earlier the day that Sindh has a total of 51 locally transmitted cases of the new coronavirus.

Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah made the statement during a 23rd meeting of the provincial task force amidst coronavirus.

During the meeting, he was informed that results of 402 samples of the second batch of pilgrims who arrived in Sukkur from Taftan are yet to come out.

Sindh CM said the number of local transmission cases has reached 151.

However, it is a cause for concern, he said.

He urged the people to stay indoors over the coming three days.

This will not only guard the people against the disease but also their loved ones, he said.

Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced that the province will go under a three-day lock-down.

“People should go into complete isolation for three days.” CM Shah said.

“It is important for people to remain inside their homes.”

According to the details, the Sindh health department informed the participants that there were 151 cases in Sukkur.

Coronavirus: CM says Sindh govt to distribute ration bags

Earlier, Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah ordered authorities of Sindh government to distribute ration bags to the needy as the province takes measures to battle the coronavirus.

This decision taken in a high-level meeting held at the CM House, sources said.

Karachi (March, 19th, 2020): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah presides over 22nd meeting of Taskforce on Coronavirus here on Thursday at CM House. pic.twitter.com/TWRHbIavZs

— CMHouseSindh (@SindhCMHouse) March 19, 2020