Govt not shutting down economy despite 5th Covid wave: PM Imran

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday warned that another coronavirus had invaded the country but reiterated his opposition to the closure, saying his government would not shut down the economy.

He was speaking at an event organized in Islamabad to introduce a new Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) policy, which focuses on entrepreneurship by facilitating registration, tax adjustment, debt access and land reform.

 

The country has reported 5,472 24 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, the highest number since August last year. According to the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), the Covid-19 rating has reached 9.48 percent.

The NCOC - the central nervous system of the government's epidemic strategy - earlier today announced new restrictions on cities with more than 10% Covid-19 as the country battles the fifth wave of the deadly epidemic.

Prime Minister Imran, while commenting on the new SME policy, said the government would provide business leasing and promote a culture of export under the new policy.

"Land is becoming more expensive in our cities ... the government can help entrepreneurs by lending them at lower interest rates and rented land," he added.

The prime minister said rich people had long been borrowing money from banks but the government had changed and even small businesses could benefit.

 

"Action will be taken against those institutions that create barriers [to setting up businesses]," he added.

Prime Minister Imran said that despite having a population of 220 million, national sales were only $ 22 billion when the government took over.

"Singapore with a population of only five million has a value of more than $ 300 billion ... many small countries have passed but the government has decided to encourage exports," he added.

The premier said the multi-institutional inspections were a bribe, adding that in such a system a large organization could survive but small businesses that suffer the most were eventually shut down.

He said Pakistan was growing rapidly in the region at one time but due to the policies of different governments, we were facing a collapse.

"When our president visited the United States in the 1960s, the president of that country came to greet him ... The people of Malaysia and Indonesia came here to see what we are doing well ... but because of political interference, it has declined dramatically."

 

Prime Minister Imran said many Pakistanis make a lot of money overseas but when they invest in Pakistan, they lose a lot and eventually fall behind. "I have seen with my own eyes how the people here go to Manchester and how they make money there," he added.

Commenting on the achievements of his government, the prime minister said Pakistan's exports were high, tax collection was very high and Pakistanis overseas sent record money.

"Now we are trying to do things automatically ... we are trying to strategize with NADRA so that we can raise taxes in the country ... we are a country with 220 million people but only 2.2 million. pay taxes ... the country cannot run this way. "

He said an investment of about R500 million came to Pakistan only for the first time in a few years. "There are many problems we understand but the government is committed to solving them," he added.

Commenting on the challenges the country faced when the PTI came to power, the Prime Minister said despite the many challenges and challenges the government has shown great progress.

"When we came to power, the government was on the verge of death so we had to deal with that first ... we rushed to friendly countries and China, UAE and Saudi Arabia helped us ... The epidemic came which was a challenge not only in Pakistan but globally but because of proper policies. ”He added.

He warned of another wave of coronaviruses in the country but added that the government would not shut down the economy.

Prime Minister Imran said he was aware of the inflation rate in the country but added that commodity prices were rising around the world. "But despite this, a record number of mobile phones, motorcycles and cars are being sold in the country."

He added that government policies would bear fruit soon and that much good would be done to the people of this country in the near future.