PM to announce comprehensive economic package today

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – As the coronavirus outbreak in the country points to a looming financial crisis, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan will announce a comprehensive economic package today (Tuesday). The public relief and stimulus package will be released to protect the people, industry and the country’s economy from the negative impact of coronavirus. According to sources, the prime minister will hold a consultation on the topic with members of the his economic team today, following which he is expected to announce the relief package to the public. During the meeting, the officials will lay out the plan for providing assistance to the poor and vulnerable society which hit by the pandemic. The plan will be aimed at daily wage workers as well. The prime minister and his team will also discuss ways to provide a government subsidy on electric and gas bills to domestic users, and ponder upon a Rs200 billion rescue package for exporters. A day earlier, PM Imran Khan has approved an amount of Rs3,000 per month for seven million daily wagers across the country. During a meeting of the economic team on Monday, the prime minister announced a relief package amounting to Rs200 billion for exporters. On Tuesday, the prime minister will announce a relief package for the construction industry. Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan met philanthropists and representatives of welfare institutions. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Poverty-Alleviation Dr Sania Nishtar, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Khusru Bakhtiar and officers of the Finance Ministry were also present. During the meeting, the strategy to provide food to the poor during the pandemic was also discussed. They also discussed the matter of giving a relief to welfare institution on the purchase of ration. Sources said that the meeting discussed more relief to utility stores on the purchase of daily-use items. They also discussed a joint relief operation in the areas affected by coronavirus.