Punjab’s Jobless to Be Documented
Chief Secretary of Punjab Azam Suleman Khan ordered on Tuesday, April 14 documenting all industrial employees across Punjab that were laid off during the lock-down. Unemployment is expected to rise in the coming weeks as the Government announced an extension to restrictions as well as the implementation of Sectio 144, which bans public gatherings of more than 5 persons. The Punjab Chief Secretary assured that the government is taking all the necessary measures to aid daily-wage laborers during the pandemic. Laid-off employees may be included in the Prime Minister’s Ehsaas Programme.
Suicide Due to Unemployment
Abdul Ghaffar Lashari, a resident of Suhno Khan Lashari village in Jacobabad committed suicide via gunshot to his temple due to joblessness during the existing lock-down situation. The victim was a father of 4 and was reportedly troubled as he could not support his family as he had no means of earning. The body was handed over to the bereaved relatives after a post-mortem examination.
Pakistanis Stranded in Afghanistan
Relatives of daily-wage laborers and truck drivers stranded in Afghanistan staged a protest in Landi Kotal in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Tuesday, April 14, demanding their repatriation to Pakistan. Protesters claim their relatives have been trapped in Afghanistan since March 16 and most of them had already run out of money.
Meanwhile, around 2000 Pakistani truck drivers stranded in Afghanistan staged a sit-in at the Torkham and Chaman borders, demanding to be allowed to cross back into Pakistan. Trapped citizens claim that so far the government has only opened borders to allow Afghans to return to their country and to recommence cross-border transport of goods.