‘I will steer you out of this difficult time’:

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday sought to allay concerns regarding an impending economic meltdown in the country, saying he will take the country out of this “difficult time”.Addressing a ceremony in connection with the launch of the Naya Pakistan Housing Programme, Khan said he will present a roadmap before the nation listing steps the government will take to stabilise the economy. “Have courage, there is nothing to worry about,” the prime minister told the audience, assuring the nation that the turbulence in the economy won’t last long. The premier said he will “guide” the nation every week on his government’s economic plans. Khan said an impression had been created in the last 48 hours “as if the sky is going to fall [or] the day of judgement is upon us”, but instead sought to explain the issues faced by the economy. He said the previous governments had taken loans recklessly, which has resulted in the country’s debt ballooning from Rs6 trillion to Rs30 trillion in the past 10 years alone.He said the previous PML-N government had started its term with a $3 billion current account deficit, but the 40-dayold Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government inherited an $18bn current account deficit.