Compensation package being prepared for front-line workers, says Murad.

Byline: Tahir Siddiqui

KARACHI -- Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday urged the people of Pakistan, particularly of Sindh, to celebrate Eidul Fitr with simplicity and demonstrate solidarity with coronavirus patients, the families who lost their lives and the poor.

'We are passing through a very critical phase of pandemic which is unprecedented in the recent history, therefore, I am of the view that we all should celebrate Eid with simplicity and I would request the prime minister to announce celebration of Eid with simplicity on national level.'

He advised people not to travel to their hometowns and villages for celebrating Eid.

This he said on Thursday while speaking at a press conference in the auditorium of the Sindh Assembly building.

The chief minister said that he was dedicating Eidul Fitr to the front-line workers - doctors, paramedical staff, nurses, janitorial staff, police, Rangers and revenue department officials - who were selflessly fighting the virus to save lives of others. 'This is a matchless service and we have lost seven doctors and five policemen,' he said.

Calls for celebrating Eid with simplicity, avoid travel to hometowns

Paying rich tributes to them, the chief minister said 364 persons of the health department were affected by the coronavirus; of them 27 recovered and seven lost their lives while saving the lives of patients. He said the doctors who died of the virus were Dr Abdul Qadir Soomro, Dr Abdul Haq, Dr Zubaida Siraj, Dr Furqan Ul Haq, Dr Asar Ibrahim, Dr M. Basheer Qasim and Dr Nawaz Gahouti.

The chief minister said that 274 policemen were infected with the coronavirus, of them 59 had recovered while five succumbed to the virus. The deceased policemen were SI Hanif, ASI Anis, ASI Sher Gul Khan, ASI Mohammad Anwar and HC Abdul Aziz.

Talking about the Rangers, the chief minister said that 20 personnel of the paramilitary force were affected by the coronavirus and prayed for their early recovery.

Compensation plan

The chief minister announced that compensation would be given to the front-line workers who lost their lives in the line of duty. 'I will also give a similar compensation to the front-line medical workers of the private sector, including doctors, by making necessary amendment in the law,' he said and added that the compensation package was under preparation.

He said that there was a provision of compensation in accidental deaths. 'We are also exploring ways and means to compensate others.'

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