List of units not at risk of virus spread readied: PM

Prime Minister Imran Khan has described striking a balance between ensuring continuation of industrial activities without spread of the coronavirus as a major challenge for the government.
Speaking at the refund distributing ceremony, the prime minister stated that a list of industries had been prepared by the Ministry of Commerce and Industries, which if made operational there would be no risk of spread of coronavirus.
Khan added that the government did not want to let the people die due to hunger while protecting them from coronavirus as Pakistan's situation was markedly different from that of the US and the EU countries.
He said that Pakistan's trajectory was different from the other countries, and at the current rate of coronavirus spread, "We will hopefully control the coronavirus. All the places of gathering have been closed, and would remain closed for two more weeks."
There is no risk of the coronavirus spread during construction of roads because there is no gathering, and all those industries that could help the construction industry would be allowed to work, so that the people do not die from hunger, the prime minister said.
He said that he would announce a package for the construction industry on Friday (today) and the government was working with the industry to ensure that daily workers did not lose jobs.
The prime minister said that the government was supporting industry and businesses, adding Pakistan could not move forward without businesses.
The government has decided from day one to support the industry and provide incentives to the sector, and the refunds payment is part of it, Khan said.
The prime minister said that that refunds payment was being started from Thursday and a package had been announced by the Finance Ministry for businessmen so that workers working in their industries were not laid off.
He said that the weak segment of the society was endangered by the lockdown and the government had to take care of the daily wagers who were working in the informal economy. The government is trying to reach out to the affected and poor because they are in great difficulty, the prime minister said, adding 12 million people would be given direct cash support.
Meanwhile, Hafeez Shaikh said that duties on food products had been eliminated and Rs200 billion wheat was being procured.
Rs107 billion refunds are being made through four different ways, the DLTL through Commerce Ministry Rs30 billion, faster system sale tax system for exports Rs10 billion sale tax refund and non exporters are being paid Rs52 billion and Rs15 billion are being given for duty drawback.
He said that due to lockdown, electricity and gas bills could be deposited after three months, and efforts were afoot to minimise the impact of coronavirus on the economy. Rs100 billion have been earmarked for the SMEs, he said.