Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday formally launched SMS service under Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Sania Nishtar briefed the Prime Minister about the service.

Talking to media after the launching ceremony, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said a sum of Rs12,000 will be transferred in the accounts of deserving people through this service. 

She said people can send their CNIC No to 8171 and they will be informed about their eligibility for emergency cash.

Dr Sania Nishtar has said that a SMS service 8171 launched to enable the deserving families to benefit from Ehsaas Emergency Cash Program.

Speaking during a Radio Pakistan program on Wednesday, Dr Sania Nishtar said that the 150 billion rupees program is the country’s biggest social protection program launched for the poor families facing financial problems due to coronavirus.

She said under this program, a cash grant of Rs12,000 will be given to the deserving families through a transparent mechanism.

The Special Assistant said the deserving families desiring to benefit from the program should send their national identity cards on the SMS code 8171, which is activated from Wednesday evening.

She said that Ehsaas Ration Platform has also been launched to connect people wanting to donate food ration to those in need. At least thirty five thousand deserving families and over six hundred donors have so far got themselves registered on the online platform, she added.

Sania Nishtar clarified that the deserving families can simultaneously benefit from both these programs.

The Special Assistant said that it is utmost effort of the federal government to ensure sufficient supplies of essential commodities to the masses with the coordination of provincial governments.