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Dr. Nishtar outlines process via video link for reaching out to 6 million category-4 beneficiaries through PM-COVID19 funded Ehsaas Emergency Cash

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May 19, 2020 -Islamabad: Immediately following the newly launched disbursal to category-4 beneficiaries through PM-COVID19 fund by the Prime Minister, Dr. Sania Nishtar, PM’s Special Assistant on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation tweeted an explanatory video to elaborate the entire process for identification and payments to category-4 Ehsaas beneficiaries. Explaining the process, Dr. Nishtar assured, “The existing principles, processes and data analytics that have been applied to Ehsaas Emergency Cash categories 1-3 will be fully deployed in the use of PM COVID-19 donor funds for identification of category-4 beneficiaries. Rule-based criteria will be fully adhered to. The procedure of identification will be fully apolitical and free from human interference. All disbursements will be made after biometric verification and there will be full transparency in deployment of funds.” Watch here.

PM COVID 19 Funded-Ehsaas Emergency Cash disbursal commences to Job-loss affectees

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May 18, 2020 – Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan has formally launched the Ehsaas Emergency Cash disbursements to job-loss affectees through PM COVID-19 Fund. To inaugurate the disbursal process, Prime Minister visited an Ehsaas cash distribution site at Sports Complex, Islamabad where the first batch of job-loss/livelihood-loss affectees received cash assistance of Rs. 12,000 each through Ehsaas Emergency Cash system. The Prime Minister inquired from beneficiaries about the financial impacts in the aftermath of the Covid-19 emergency. “The government has taken different decisions to continue economic activities and has opened different sectors,” he said. PM’s Special Assistant on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Sania Nishtar, Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar and other senior officials also accompanied the PM. Dr. Nishtar briefed the PM about the entire Ehsaas Emergency Cash process for identification of beneficiaries and payments through PM COVID-19 Fund.

Ehsaas serves 7.512 million families in a month, distributes Rs. 91.611 billion; 163,419 category-3 beneficiaries paid out worth Rs. 1.961 billion

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May 11, 2020 – Islamabad: Since last Friday May 8, 2020 Ehsaas has commenced disbursements to beneficiaries under category 3 of the Ehsaas Emergency Cash program. Till today, 163,419 category 3 beneficiaries identified through district administration have been paid out Rs. 1.961 billion. Concurrently, payments to category 2 beneficiaries, who entered the program through 8171 SMS service, are also underway. So far, 2.945 million category 2 beneficiaries have been served Ehsaas Emergency Cash worth Rs. 35.347 billion. Dr. Sania Nishtar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation remarked, “The emergency cash transfers are providing purchasing power to labour class to buy food rations and meet their needs.”  Payments to category 1 that includes regular Kafaalat beneficiaries have almost been completed with Rs. 54.303 billion paid out to 4.403 million beneficiaries. Cumulatively, so far, 7.512 million deserving families under categories I, II and III of Ehsaas Emergency Cash program have collected financial assistance of Rs.12,000 each that sums up to Rs. 91.611 billion.

Disguised in Burqa, Sania visits Ehsaas Payment sites

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May 8, 2020 -Islamabad: With the commencement of payments to category-3 beneficiaries on May 8, Dr. Sania Nishtar, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation covered herself in Burqa and made an unannounced visit to the Ehsaas payment site at Nurpur Shahan in the outskirts of Bari Imam, Islamabad. She toured the site to get a first-hand look at the precautionary measures and biometric disbursement services being offered to Ehsaas Emergency Cash beneficiaries that fall under categories-2 and 3. While talking to the media, Dr. Nishtar commented, “This visit in disguise was intended to assess the campsite arrangements in terms of quality of services, transparency and accuracy in payment system and adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures.” She then continued, “Beneficiaries of the program are mainly the labour class whose means of income are badly affected by COVID-19 restrictions. I strongly believe that it adds value to policymaking when you go in the field and interact with people on your own to gain first-hand knowledge.” Footage here:

Dr. Sania reviews arrangements at newly opened NADRA centers in Islamabad

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May 4, 2020 -Islamabad: On the approval of the federal government, National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA) offices have resumed operations today countrywide to facilitate beneficiaries of Ehsaas Emergency Cash who were facing problems in withdrawing cash due to faulty biometric identification and registration of deaths of eligible family members. To get first-hand information about the facilitation being extended to Ehsaas beneficiaries by NADRA, PM’s Special Assistant on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Sania Nishtar reviewed arrangements at newly opened NADRA registration and facilitation center in Islamabad.  Chairman NADRA, Usman Yousaf Mobin was also present during the visit. Talking to press, Dr. Nishtar announced, “Easy solutions will be provided to Ehsaas Emergency Cash recipients within 24 hours to complete biometric identifications & death registrations. Death registration fee of Rs. 50 has also been waived off to facilitate beneficiaries.”

PM launches web-portal for COVID-19 livelihood-loss-affectees

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May 2, 2020 -Islamabad: The Prime Minister launched a web-portal soliciting applications from those who have lost their livelihoods as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and announced to commit the PM’s COVID-19 Relief fund to those who will qualify for aid. While opening the portal, the PM said, “I have made the decision that my COVID 19 fund will be used to give emergency cash to those who have lost their livelihoods, as a result of the COVID 19 crisis. I am opening a web-portal so that we can begin receiving applications. Those who will qualify for assistance will get Emergency Cash of Rs. 12,000. I encourage all of you to donate. For each rupee donated by the donors, 4 rupees will be committed by the Government”. Speaking to the media after the opening of the portal, Dr. Sania Nishtar said, “We feel honoured that the Prime Minister has entrusted Ehsaas to utilize these funds.” She said, further adding, “To-date, Ehsaas Emergency Cash of Rs. 83 billion has been distributed among 6.8 million families in a transparent manner.”  To apply for assistance, the web-portal can be accessed here.