Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday chairing a parliamentary committee meeting said keeping in view the ground realities and economic challenges amid the coronavirus crises it has been decided that lockdown would be eased gradually.

Prime Minister Khan said that the lockdown in the country has to be lifted slowly but gradually to mitigate the economic impact on the people of Pakistan. "We need to lift the lockdown so that people can get jobs. But we have to be careful because all of our efforts will go in vain if people don't take precautionary measures."

The premier added that this will be where the volunteer force will come in. "You will go to union councils and publicise the government's guidelines."

The Prime Minister outlined the role of the Corona Relief Tiger Force, stating that the volunteer force is required to strike a balance between saving people from the virus and saving them from hunger and unemployment.

"Volunteers will have to register all those that have lost their jobs due to the lockdown at their respective union councils. Not everyone can register themselves so that is where the force will come in."

He added that volunteers will also monitor the Ehsaas Emergency Cash Programme and give the Centre feedback. "If you see hoarding anywhere, don't take action yourself but tell the administration. They will take action," he added.

The Corona Relief Tiger Force has also been made operational would help to counter the deadly coronavirus pandemic in the country. The Prime Minister directed all party leaders to mobilise the relief force in their constituencies.

24NewsHD TV Channel reported that duties of Tiger Force were to facilitate the operationalization of utility stores, enforce government’s SOPs at mosques, facilitate isolation and quarantine centres and distribution of ration.

He said mobilizing the Tiger Force was the best opportunity for the public representatives to sever their people and urged to shun the differences and serve our nation uniformly.

The prime minister urged MNAs to keep an eye on oil prices so that people could benefit from the price reduction. “We announced Rs1.25 trillion relief package for the people to counter and combat the coronavirus related damages.

Special Assistant to PM on Youth Affairs Usman Dar addressing the news conference in the presence of Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said that Tiger Force has performed in Sialkot and worked side by side with the public administration and distributed the ration.

“All the responsibilities would be made through public. All volunteers have been given to the QR code so that their monitoring could be done,” he said.

So far more than one million volunteers have been registered at the Tiger Force.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza said that 17,000 of the people who had volunteered for the Corona Relief Tiger Force belonged to the medical community.

Speaking alongside Prime Minister Imran Khan during his address to the volunteer force, the PM's aide said: "No one really knows how long this disease will last [...] everyone needs to play their role."

He added that medical professionals will be given specific roles so that they can help the government in implementing standard operating procedures. "Doctors will also volunteer for telehealth initiatives so that they can give advice to patients over the phone," he said.