ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran khan on Tuesday decided to slash prices of petrol and diesel by Rs 15.
Talking to senior journalists at the PM house he said that attempts are being made to create chaos in the society over the coronavirus.
He said that we have more risk of taking wrong decision in fear of coronavirus then the virus itself.
Announcing various relief packages for different sectors he said that we have take decision keeping in view the situation of the country.
Announcing various relief packages for different sectors he said that we have take decision keeping in view the situation of the country. It is possible that by making the wrong decisions, the society is destroyed, he said.
Before imposing curfew, we need to think about the poor people whether we have the resources to feed poor people at home, he said.
To help the industrial sector and especially the export sector, it was decided to release tax refunds amounting to Rs100 billion, besides, deferring of the interest payment to bolster this sector, he added.
For the small and medium industry, and agriculture sector, another amount of Rs100 billion was set aside with deferred interest payment, the prime minister said, adding concessional loans would also being extended to the sectors. The government wanted to bring down the input costs for the farmers.
Other packages, he said, included additional amount of 50 billion for the Utility Stores, Rs280 billion for the wheat procurement, slashing of petrol and diesel prices by Rs15 per liter for which the government would have to bear the burden of Rs75 billion.
An amount of Rs100 billion was allocated separately for the emergency situation, he added.
The prime minister said power consumers using 300 units and gas users with Rs2,000 monthly bills would be facilitated to deposit their bills through three monthly installments.
A sum of Rs50 billion was also allocated for the medical staff. The National Disaster Management Authority would get Rs25 billion for purchase and procuring of kits, he announced.
Imran Khan said for the vulnerable families who were bearing the brunt of the difficult time, it was decided to allocate an amount of Rs150 billion for a period of four months.
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. For the construction industry, the government would announce a separate package within days, which, he promised, had never been witnessed in the country s history.