ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday appealed to overseas Pakistanis to donate generously to the government’s coronavirus relief fund.
In a video message, he said that the entire world is struggling against the pandemic which has led to lockdowns.
“The lockdown has adversely affected the world economy, including Pakistan, resulting in growing poverty across the globe,” he said.
Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI urges the overseas Pakistanis to help their brethren in need. Donate generously and help the government win this war against Corona.
For online donations,
please visit https://t.co/qsNJSZYxVV#Pakistanis4Pakistanis pic.twitter.com/EKE3pLdkd2
— Prime Minister’s Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) April 13, 2020
He added that in the wake of growing economic difficulties, the country needed more money in the relief fund and urged the overseas Pakistanis to come forward in this regard.
The prime minister said that the US has a population of 300 million people and has allocated $2.2 trillion, while Germany and France, having a population of less than Pakistan, earmarked $1 trillion each to provide relief to their people. “Pakistan can only manage $8 billion for the relief fund and in such a situation, we want overseas Pakistanis to donate generously,” he added.
PM Imran also expressed confidence that with the help and cooperation of Pakistani youth, the volunteer force and overseas Pakistanis, the country will succeed against coronavirus.
National Assembly (NA) Speaker Asad Qaiser also requested all overseas Pakistanis to “have patience and cooperate with the government”.
Speaking to the media in Islamabad, he said that the foreign ministry has been directed to convey the concerns of overseas Pakistanis to the relevant governments abroad. The virus is a global problem, he added.
Meanwhile, Former British cricketer Kevin Pietersen has also called on Pakistanis expatriates to donate to the fund.
PM @ImranKhanPTI leading from the front…help him out by donating towards PM’s Covid Relief Fund at https://t.co/l1uq3F0FBi
I know how generous OVERSEAS Pakistanis can be, help your country when it’s most needed.#Pakistanis4Pakistanis pic.twitter.com/aXmWZwCUiK
— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) April 13, 2020
Separately, in a series of tweets from the Prime Minister’s Office, it was announced that overseas Pakistanis can easily donate to the coronavirus relief fund by logging in here.
According to the tweets, at least $35 are required to support one family at a time. The option to repeatedly send $35 or more each month also exists.
No government can fight this Pandemic alone. We need to work together as one nation. Please step up & help your fellow citizens in this hour of need
For online donations, watch this step by step video guide & visit https://t.co/qsNJSZYxVV to donate#Pakistanis4Pakistanis pic.twitter.com/874HP7NvP2
— Prime Minister’s Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) April 13, 2020
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Twitter account has also announced that PM Imran will start contacting overseas Pakistanis for funds to fight against the coronavirus today.
