Relief package to support business community, provide relief to the poor: Hafeez
He said that Rs200 billion have been allocated for the labour class
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh on Wednesday said that the government has announced a massive relief package amounting to Rs1.25 trillion to support the business community and to provide relief to the poor people in wake of the outbreak of Coronavirus pandemic.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Wednesday, he said that Rs200 billion have been allocated for the labour class, which can risk their jobs due to steps being taken to contain the pandemic.
The advisor said Rs100 billion have been earmarked to provide liquidity as tax refunds to the export industry to protect the export sector.
Regarding small and medium enterprises and agriculture sectors, he said Rs100 billion have been reserved to facilitate farmers and small factory owners.
He said Rs150 billion will be spent to provide financial assistance of 3000 to 12 million families across Pakistan for four months.
Hafeez went on to say that Rs50 billion are being given to Utility Stores to provide daily items, especially flour, ghee, sugar, and pulses to the countrymen on subsidized rates.
Regarding ensuring protection of health workers, the finance advisor said an additional amount of Rs50 billion has been kept to procure protective gear and other necessary equipment in this regard.
He said National Disaster Management Authority will get Rs25 billion to fight the pandemic, adding that tax on edible items is being complete abolished or massively reduced to facilitate vulnerable segments of society.
