Prime Minister Imran Khan has again summoned a meeting of the National Coordination Committee (NCC) to meet today. The meeting will review measures to deal with coronavirus pandemic.
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According to media reports, Prime Minister Imran Khan will preside over the meeting which will be attended by chief ministers of all provinces, federal ministers, top military officials and chairman NDMA.
During the previous meeting of NCC, held on Wednesday, it was finalized that decision to soften lockdown provision in the country would be taken after April 5.
Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa also attended the meeting during which current coronavirus pandemic situation in the country was reviewed. The meeting was also briefed on the measures taken by federal and provincial governments to stem the spread of coronavirus in the country.
Considering the suffering of poor and labour class in Pakistan amidst the coronavirus lockdown in the country, Prime Minister Imran Khan announced Rs. 1200 million relief program.
PM Imran announced Corona-relief Fund for the labour class
Prime Minister Imran Khan had announced a relief package for the marginalized class in Pakistan who is severely affected by the exponential increase of coronavirus amid unusually prolonged lockdown in the country.
Labour Class: The premier Imran said that the government had decided to allocate Rs. 200 billion for the labour class, which had been hit hard in difficult times.
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Tax Refund: To help the industrial sector and especially the export sector, it was decided to release tax refunds amounting to Rs. 100 billion, besides, deferring of the interest payment to bolster this sector, he added.
SMEs and Industry: For the small and medium industry, and agriculture sector, another amount of Rs. 100 billion was set aside with deferred interest payment, the Imran Khan said, adding concessional loans would also be extended to the sectors. The government wanted to bring down the input costs for the farmers.
Food and Petroleum: Other packages, he said, included an additional amount of 50 billion for the utility stores, Rs. 280 billion for the wheat procurement, slashing of petrol and diesel prices by Rs. 15 per litre for which the government would have to bear the burden of Rs. 75 billion.
Read more: Imran Khan establishes ‘Coronavirus Fund’ to help poor, Defends lockdown
Emergency Situation: An amount of Rs. 100 billion was allocated separately for the emergency situation, he added.
NDMA, Construction and Medical: PM Imran Khan said power consumers using 300 units and gas users with Rs. 2,000 monthly bills would be facilitated to deposit their bills through three monthly instalments. A sum of Rs. 50 billion was also allocated for the medical staff. The National Disaster Management Authority would get Rs. 25 billion for purchase and procuring of kits, he announced.