People in developing world face starker choice, death by COVID-19 or hunger: PM

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has said that the people in the developing world face a starker choice, death by COVID-19 or by hunger. The prime minister stated while following up on his call for a 'Global Initiative on Debt Relief' during a telephonic conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. During the call, the prime minister emphasized that coronavirus has unfolded an unprecedented global health and economic crisis, where developing countries will be hit harder due to lack of fiscal space and debt servicing. He said people in the developing world face a starker choice, death by COVID-19 or by hunger. Earlier, PM Imran Khan has called for a “Global Initiative on Debt Relief” in wake of coronavirus pandemic. In a message broadcast to international community, the prime minister said COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented health and economic challenges. He expressed fear that global recession might be worse than the great depression. PM Khan stressed that a global pandemic cannot be contained without strong, coordinated and well-crafted global response. He invited the UN secretary general to work with him in advancing the objectives of a coordinated response. He cautioned that the pandemic’s socio-economic impacts would be more consequential in the developing countries. While proposing the Initiative, Imran Khan highlighted that his government has provided an 8 billion US dollars stimulus package to help the most vulnerable Pakistanis.

Urges world to help developing countries to overcome Corona

Noting the UN chief’s call for action, He also urged world leaders to step up measures to help developing countries to overcome disastrous impacts of COVID-19. He proposed that the developing countries be provided with fiscal space and financial relief through enhanced debt relief and restructuring and other additional measures that could help them manage the unfolding crisis.