ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted the world economy and of Pakistan too, and emphasized that out-of-the-box solutions are required for the economic growth in these crucial times.
In his remarks while presiding over a meeting of the Finance and Economy Think-Tank in Islamabad on Saturday, the prime minister said that from day one, our government adopted a strategy to maintain a balance between sustaining economic activity and protecting the masses from infectious disease of COVID-19.
The prime minister emphasized that the prime focus is on providing relief to the poor segment of society through targeted subsidies. He said that the Ehsaas is the flagship program of the government to alleviate poverty and requires expansion along with a strategy to reach the most needy.
Imran Khan highlighted that a substantive package has been announced for the Construction and Housing Sector that aims at increasing much-needed employment opportunities and economic stimulus as well as adding to the inventory of affordable housing for the poor.
The prime minister highly appreciated the proposals presented by the Think-Tank regarding banking & finance, further improving the Ehsaas program and facilitating small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
The prime minister directed that regular feedback of the Think-Tank be provided to him on various ongoing initiatives, policies, and programs of the government.
The Prime Minister’s Financial Advisor Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, his Advisor on Institutional Reforms Dr. Ishrat Hussain, the Governor State Bank Raza Baqir and the former Finance Secretary Dr. Waqar Masood Khan were present in the meeting.
His Advisor on Commerce Abdul Razaq Dawood, Shaukat Tareen, Sultan Alana, Dr. Ijaz Nabi and Arif Habib participated via Video-Link.
