PM reiterates call for debt relief for developing states

islamabad — Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday reiterated his call of a debt relief for developing countries, including Pakistan, to cope with the challenges posed by the Covid-19 outbreak.

Speaking at the covid action platform of the World Economic Forum via video link, he said there should be a debt relief as these countries needed fiscal space to divert their resources to the healthcare system besides mitigating the economic effects of the lockdown.

The prime minister said the G-20 states had already come up with a policy of debt-relief for the developing countries and in that respect he held discussions with the leaders of Egypt, Ethiopia and Nigeria, who were also facing economic difficulties.

The prime minister said with the outbreak of Covid-19, Pakistan was facing the twin challenge of dealing with the virus as well as unemployment of around 25 million daily-wage or weekly-wage workers due to the lockdown announced by the government to check the spread of virus.

PM launches telehealth portal

Meanwhile, the government has initiated a telehealth helpline to assist people during the Covid-19 pandemic, reports The Express Tribune. The platform aims at providing healthcare consultancy to the masses by eliminating the need of going to the hospital.

Doctors can register themselves at the portal to provide voluntary services whereas patients can receive free of cost consultancy by sending a text message, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office. —