‘World fully affirms PM’s plea for debt relief for poor states’

Ag Agencies

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan Thursday said the plea of Prime Minister Imran Khan for the rights of the poor in developing countries had been fully heeded to by the rich world.

The world’s highest forums, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank (WB) and G-20 countries had decided to provide debt relief to the poor states was welcoming amid the ongoing fight against the coronavirus pandemic, she added in a tweet. She said the COVID-19 had affected the economies around the world, but its social and economic impacts were far more severe in the developing countries. An effective response from the rich was the crucial requirement to protect the people of Third World from hunger and poverty, she added.

She said unconditional support and relief from the financial institutions and rich states was imperative for the developing countries to meet the current challenge and for their economic recovery, and the prime minister’s appeal in that regard showed his acumen, vision, foresightedness and leadership qualities

Meanwhile Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said on Thursday that Prime Minister Imran Khan eased the lockdown for facilitation of the people, and ensuring timely supply of essential goods and other facilities.

In a tweet she said that this step did not mean that the challenge of corona pandemic was over. The fight against outbreak of coronavirus was going on, she said, adding that with care citizens have to protect themselves and others. She said all citizens should enjoy their rights but at the same time fulfill their responsibilities.

Dr Firdous urged the people to apply strict adherence to preventive measures and social distancing. This war cannot be won without the help and cooperation of the people, she remarked.

She advised the people not to leave the precaution while playing the role of responsible citizens as only cure for this menace was precaution and avoidance.

Meanwhile, a delegation of traders’ community led by President Markazi Tanzeem Tajran Pakistan, Muhammad Kashif Chaudhry on Thursday met Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan and apprised her of difficulties being faced by traders due to countrywide lockdown.

The delegation comprised President of the Markazi Tanzeem Tajran Punjab Sharjeel Mir, Zia Ahmad Raja, President Islamabad chapter Malik Zaheer and others. The delegation while observing that the government has allowed some business to open but it should also permit some other business economic to start with precautionary measures for specific timings.

He said start of limited business activity would not also facilitate customers to do shopping for Ramazan and Eidul Fitr but would enable traders meet their expenses and pay salaries to employees. Observing that the IMF had announced to defer installments of loans, Kashif Chaudhry said the government should announce a relief package for traders’ community from the same amount.

Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan while observing that traders are backbone of the national economy assured that she would raise the issue at forum of the federal cabinet and other levels.