- The government will give Rs100 billion tax refund to businessmen, exporters and industries: PM.
- Imran says Rs100 billion have also been earmarked for Small and Medium Enterprises.
- The electricity and gas bills will be payable in three months instalments, says prime minister.
Prime Minister Imran Khan said that the government has allocated Rs200 billion for the labour class in wake of the coronavirus outbreak. He added prices of petroleum products will be slashed by Rs15 per litre.
Announcing the economic package in Islamabad on Tuesday, he said Rs200 billion have been allocated for the labour class in wake of the coronavirus outbreak. He pointed out that the government will give Rs100 billion tax refund to businessmen, exporters and industries.
The PM said that the prices of petroleum products including diesel, petrol, kerosene oil etc will be reduced by Rs15 per litre.
He mentioned that Rs3,000 will be provided monthly to families belonging to the poor class for the next four months. “The government has allocated Rs150 billion for the purpose.” Imran said the government will make decisions keeping in view and to facilitate the poor segments of the society.
The PM said that Rs100 billion have also been earmarked for Small and Medium Enterprises. The prime minister said that in a bid to facilitate the masses, the electricity and gas bills will be payable in three months instalments.
For procurement of wheat, the PM said Rs280 billion have been allocated for the purpose. In addition, he said Rs150 billion have been set aside for utility stores. “The government will provide Rs50 billion more to utility stores in coming months.”
For the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Imran said Rs25 billion have been earmarked for it to deal with the national crisis.
He said that the government has not yet banned transport in the country as it will affect the transportation of food items. He elaborated that the government has also reduced and removed taxes on some food items in wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
The PM said that curfew is the last stage of a lockdown. “Lockdown in the country began when 21 cases of coronavirus were reported.”
“We will have to prepare volunteers and provide food at doorsteps of the people,” he remarked.
He said it is time the nation should stand in unity and fight the pandemic with bravery. He highlighted that the government is closely monitoring the situation and taking measures in the best interest of the masses.
Imran Khan said that the media in Pakistan enjoys freedom of expression unlike other countries. “After the 18th amendment, provinces are free to take decisions in the best interest of the people,” he remarked.
