Staff Reporter
Islamabad
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said that Pakistan has not received any financial assistance from any country or global organisation despite the coronavirus outbreak in the country which has infected more than 11,500 people and claimed over 240 lives. During a meeting with social media influencers and journalists, he said the situation developing after the pandemic is a big test for the entire world and Pakistan. However, he added, the situation was different in the country than Europe and the United States.
The premier said that the underprivileged were the hardest hit by lockdowns, whereas, the remittances from overseas Pakistanis have also stopped. “I did not want to impose the lockdown as it would increase the miseries of the labourers and daily wagers. Upto 75% of them are not even registered,” he added.
He said that Pakistan’s economy was badly hit by the pandemic and despite severe hardships, no country or global organisation lent even a single dollar, adding that only International Monetary Fund gave relief in repayment of loans.
Apparently taking a jibe at the political opponents, Imran said that many people were spreading false propaganda and resorting to lies on social media. “Those who have made money out of corruption were afraid of free media because they would get exposed,” he said and added that no matter how many lies are told, people would eventually find the truth.
He said that no one can predict when the coronavirus crisis would end but the government was relaxing the lockdown in phases.
PM Imran further said that the government will introduce track and trace system with the help of Inter-Services Intelligence agency, adding that it would help in identifying coronavirus hotspots across the country.
“We will lock down those areas where there are [numerous] coronavirus cases whereas business in other areas will be kept open,” he said.
“Our reserves have gone down, taxes have decreased and businesses have closed,” he said, adding that Pakistan was facing severe hardships.
He said that Pakistan was about to start telemedicine and teleducation in the country. The prime minister stressed on the need to fight the coronavirus with unity, saying that the pandemic had wreaked havoc around the world.
