SARWAR AWAN
ISLAMABAD Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday announced Rs200 billion relief package for labourers who will face extraordinary difficulties in the wake of nationwide lockdowns to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Talking to media alongwith Advisor to PM on Finance Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Minister for Food Security Khusru Bakhtiar, Advisor to PM on Health Dr Zafar Mirza, Special Assistant to the PM on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, and NDMA Chairman LtGen Muhammad Afzal, he said that the coronavirus pandemic was not the real danger, rather the decisions that people took fearing the Covid-19 threat. He said that the impact that comes if a complete lockdown is imposed might create more panic than the coronavirus itself. A lockdown had been imposed right after the National Security Committee’s meeting and the next step is curfew, he said, adding that the country could not cope with it. The Premier went to say that “We take decisions keeping in mind the elite class, we do not think about the underprivileged,” reiterating that good facilities were available only for the elite, while the poor had to suffer. Imran said, “We’ve been working for past three days to devise a stimulus package on how we can save our industries, our businesses, our labourers from the adverse affects of this global pandemic. We’ve put a lot of thoughts and efforts into this.” “If a person living in Defence [Housing Authority] is put under a curfew, they will be happy as they have hoarded food items, but what about the person who lives in katchi abadis?” “We have not thought about the impact that will prevail after imposing a curfew. I would have imposed a curfew if we were France or Italy,” he said. “But I have to look after the poor people in my country.” The premier said that the government was in touch with all the chief secretaries and deputy commissioners to review the after-effects of such measures as lock-down. Citing one example, he said that it was found that the supply of pulses was affected due to the Karachi port being shut and it was estimated that supply would be drastically impacted in a week’s time so the port was opened. He said that a stimulus package was debated upon to safeguard against damage to the economy. The prime minister also said that a special sum of Rs100b had been kept for the express purpose of use in an emergency to counter the after effects of the lockdowns. The National Disaster Management Authority will also be granted Rs25bn to procure kits, equipment, and other items from other countries. “In addition, a separate package is being prepared for the construction industry, the likes of which Pakistan has never before seen,” said the premier. “Construction is a sector which provides employment as well as facilitates other industries and aids in wealth creation.” He said they were also expanding the network of Panagah (shelter houses) where the precautionary measures had been strictly practiced. Besides, he said, it was decided to either completely cut taxes or reduce them on different edible items. “The media in Pakistan enjoys more freedom than media in the western countries,” the premier said, adding: “The sort of allegations that the local media puts on a person, it [media] would not survive in the western countries as their law are that strict,” he said. “We were under pressure due to the students in Wuhan, China. I was in contact with the Chinese President myself and not a single patient came in from there.” “We were in touch with Iran as well, they couldn’t deal with coronavirus like China did,” he said, adding that due to the problems Tehran was facing the situation at Taftan worsened. The Pakistan government planned efficiently against coronavirus with its available resources and we are doing better than other countries who are more financially stable than us, the premier noted. “Curfew is the last stage of lockdown… I am so much concerned about the downtrodden segment of the society as to how would they meet their ends during curfew,” he said. “However if situation worsens, then we will have no option but to impose curfew but with comprehensive strategy,” he added. “We will form a team of volunteers to distribute food items to the poor if curfew was imposed,” said the prime minister. The following are the main points of the package announced by the Prime Minister: • Labourers will be given Rs200 billion. We will also discuss with the provinces and businesses to accommodate the labourers so they are not rendered jobless. • Government will give export and industry Rs100 billion worth of tax refunds — — which are usually delayed and given — so they may spend this on their labourers as well. Interest payments have also been deferred. • Rupees100 billion have been set aside for small and medium industries and their interest payments deferred as well. They will be able to make use of concessional loans as well, with low interest rates. Farmers will also be able to enjoy lower input costs. • A sum of Rs150 billion set aside for families most impacted, spread across the next four months. They will be given Rs3,000 monthly. Provinces will be asked to join in and assist the federal government. • In the wake of the pandemic, there has been a rush on existing shelters so their numbers and capabilities need to be expanded. The government will work to enforce measures so that people are screened before being let in. • To ensure consistent availability of goods, the government has set aside Rs50bn to Utility stores. The government will also budget for wheat procurement worth Rs280bn, so the farmers can also earn and the village areas do not face a financial crunch. • Petrol, diesel, kerosene and light diesel will see their prices slashed by Rs15. • Seventy-five per cent of the population are said to use 300 units or less of electricity. These households will be able to pay their bills with a deferred payment plan, over the next three months. Similarly, 81% of gas consumers incur a bill of Rs2,000 per month. They will also be able to pay in instalments over the next three months. • A sum of Rs50b are set aside for the purchase of equipment and all necessary facilitation of medical workers who are at the forefront of the fight against the virus. • Taxes on food items will either be abolished or reduced.
