Govt trying to reschedule loans from int’l lenders, says Qureshi
FOREIGN Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Tuesday that the government was trying to get loans rescheduled from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank (WB) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) to deal with the coronavirus pan demic effectively.
Speaking during a meeting at Circuit House, the foreign minister said that the rescheduled amount would be used to facili tate the health sector. He said that the gov ernment was closely carefully monitoring the coronavirus situation locally and internationally. He said that one newlyestablished sub committee is coordinating with the international community under his supervi sion whereas the other is headed by Minister for Planning and Development and is focus ing on ensuring the supply of food commodities in the country under lockdown. Qureshi said that he was constantly in contact with the European Union (EU), G77 and G20 coun tries, adding that the government was also contacting Pakistanis abroad to ensure their safety. Responding to a question, Qureshi said that the government was trying play ing its role for the lifting of international sanctions on Iran.
“They cannot even purchase ventilators despite having money to buy them,” he added. Speaking about a possible nation wide lockdown, he said that it would require immense preparation. “In China, when 60 million people underwent complete lock down in Wuhan, 45,000 workers were mobilised to ensure uninterrupted online supply of food items to people’s homes,” he added. He pointed out that before a complete lock down can be announced, the government would have to ensure the distribution of food to people’s homes.
About the volunteer force an nounced by the prime minister, Qureshi said that Corona Relief Tiger Force’s first meeting would be held in Multan. Qureshi said that every union council comprised six wards and a volunteer force would be created in each ward. “These youngsters will register the names, ID card numbers, phone num bers and addresses of those in need of financial assistance,” he added.
The foreign minister urged the local parliamentarians and district administra tions to extend maximum cooperation in this regard so that the poor can be facili tated. He said that government gave a his toric relief package of Rs1.2 trillion and would continue to support different seg ments of the society.