Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar has asked the youth of the city to come forward and play their role in helping the people in need both socially and financially.
Reviewing a ration distribution activity organised by the Chishti Foundation in Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Akhtar said people over the age of 55 are more vulnerable to COVID-19, and that is why the youth should play their due role in the health crisis.
“Our youth are passionate about helping others. They should participate in ration distribution and help ease people’s depression,” he said. During the current lockdown, people are feeling depressed and running into financial troubles, he added.
He pointed out that if the people’s woes are not addressed right now, they can result in major negative impacts on society. He said that the entire world has been affected by COVID-19 and it is still uncertain when this pandemic will be over.
“Representatives of traders’ associations, industrialists and small traders have been talking about the difficulties they’ve been facing during the current situation,” said the mayor. “They should be allowed to carry out their businesses, but only while adopting proper precautionary measures.”
He said that a mechanism has to be devised to facilitate hundreds of thousands of people who have been rendered jobless due to the closure of commercial activities.
He also appreciated how young people have been serving the Chishti Foundation, saying that they can prevail over the current situation only through joint efforts.
He ordered that ration distribution should continue without any discrimination, and that those who are in need the most should be given priority. He also appealed to the citizens to pray for getting rid of the novel coronavirus during the current month of blessings.
Chishti Foundation head Amir Waliuddin Chishti expressed his gratitude to the mayor, saying that Akhtar’s efforts are commendable. Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan lawmaker Abbas Jafferi and others were also present on the occasion.