Ex-MPA wants to set up fund to help daily-wagers

PESHAWAR: Former lawmaker Obaidullah Mayar has said he would invite all political parties, former nazims, elected representatives, Ulema and elders to announce establishment of a fund to look after the daily wagers and other poor and deserving people affected by coronavirus lockdown.

Obaidullah Mayar was Member Provincial Assembly (MPA) from Mardan for one term on the ticket of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) before he developed differences with it and was expelled.

“I have already donated Rs1 million and have also collected money from my friends. Many others have promised to donate but the fund will be announced in the presence of all,” he told The News.

He said they would jointly defeat the coronavirus that has locked down the world and affected every section of the society, particularly the daily wagers.

The former MPA said he is supervising the coronavirus affected families in his Mohallah Amukhel in Mayar village after the death of Shakirullah due to coronavirus.

He said this deadly virus did not differentiate between the rich and the poor.

“We will have to defeat coronavirus with collective efforts,” he said, adding, he would unite the people to collect donations to try to reduce the burden on daily wagers and other deserving families in his area.

Obaidullah Mayar said he had been asking people to follow government’s instructions and observe social distancing but it was difficult initially due to the peculiar Pakhtun culture.

However, he said that now the people had started following precautionary measures.

He dispelled the impression that some suspected patients were left without any tests in Mayar. He recalled that 35 persons were examined and their samples were sent for tests.